MassDOT reviewing contracts with Hi-Way Safety Systems in light of fatal Pembroke crash

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is reviewing its contracts with Hi-Way Safety Systems after an employee was involved in a Pembroke crash that killed a 13-year-old girl and critically injured two other women.

Gregory Goodsell, 31, of Marshfield is accused of being intoxicated Sunday when he ran a red light and crashed his pickup truck into a car carrying two 13-year-old girls and a 50-year-old female driver, according to authorities.

Goodsell reportedly may have been driving a Hi-Way Safety Systems Ford pickup truck at the time of the accident.

Goodsell’s license was suspended, according to MassDOT, and he is currently held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Jan. 3, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

“We are saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. MassDOT is extremely disappointed to learn of the circumstances surrounding this incident. We require that all of our contractors adhere to strict standards of safety and we are conducting a review into the status of Hi-Way Safety Systems Inc. with regard to active MassDOT contracts,” said a statement from MassDOT.

The crash killed 13-year-old Claire Zisserson, as identified via a GoFundMe page created by family friend Jake Mcpherson, which earned more than $63,000 as of Tuesday night.

“She was a funny, athletic, smart girl that will be missed by so many. Whenever I came in contact with her, she was smiling or laughing,” Mcpherson said of Zisserson. He said he spoke with the family Tuesday and they did not wish to comment.

Zisserson played soccer for Liverpool FC International Academy Massachusetts, which said in a statement, “Claire was a wonderful young lady and athlete who made a big impact on her friends, family, coaches and teammates.”

Kendall Zemotel, 13, was also involved in the crash and is “fighting for her life” along with the 50-year-old female driver, according to Plymouth Selectwoman Betty Cavacco, who created a GoFundMe page for the girl.

Zemotel was first taken to South Shore Hospital, then Boston Children’s Hospital for further treatment after the crash.

Cavacco said, “We take care of our own. This community loves fiercely and this has hit home for many of us.”

A petition calling for MassDOT to revoke all current and future contracts with Hi-Way Safety Systems after “a thirteen year old girl was killed by one of their employees,” had earned over 6,000 online signatures as of Tuesday night.

A MassDOT spokeswoman said Hi-Way Safety Systems is both a prime and a subcontractor on a number of active contracts that involve providing signage, pavement markings and traffic control.

Hi-Way Safety Systems did not immediately respond to the Herald’s request for comment.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2rJV6iF