Massachusetts man charged after auto crash leaves 2 dead

According to reports, a man is facing multiple charges after allegedly causing a fatal collision on Route 5 near Easthampton. The Aug. 28 incident took the lives of two individuals who were riding a motorcycle.

The fatal accident transpired around 3:15 p.m. nearby the Northampton District when a 45-year-old man from Springfield operating a sports utility vehicle crashed into a motorcycle on East Street. The motorcyclist and a passenger on the bike died from the injuries they suffered in the collision.

Sources did not indicate if the motorcycle victims died at the scene or if an ambulance transported them to a local hospital first. The driver of the SUV was taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. When the report was released, authorities had not disclosed the details of the accident investigation.

Officers from the Easthampton Police Department detained the SUV driver at the hospital where he was recovering from his injuries. He faces charges of two counts of felony homicide, and he was scheduled to appear at the Northampton District Court on Aug. 29.

Whenever a collision causes serious injury or death, that driver could be held liable for damages. By closely examining police reports, witness statements and toxicology results, an attorney representing the family of the deceased might be able to find evidence to use in a wrongful death claim. In the event the driver faces charges in the crash, those charges, along with a guilty verdict, may also be used to support the claim. If successful, the decedent’s surviving family members could receive a monetary award for their accident-related losses such as funeral and medical expenses.

Source: Mass Live, “Easthampton police: James Ainsworth of Springfield charged with motor vehicle homicide in double-fatal route 5 crash“, George Graham, August 29, 2014