WESTPORT — The driver killed on Route 177 in Westport Saturday morning was driving a stolen motorcycle at a high rate of speed in the moments before the crash, Westport Police said in a Monday …
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The driver killed on Route 177 in Westport Saturday morning was driving a stolen motorcycle at a high rate of speed in the moments before the crash, Westport Police said in a Monday afternoon update.
Detective Sergeant Christopher A. Dunn said that at approximately 8:55 a.m. Saturday, the Westport Police Department received a call from a witness regarding a serious motor vehicle accident involving a motor vehicle and motorcycle at the intersection of American Legion Highway (Rte. 177) and Gifford Road.
The motorcyclist was treated at the scene and transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries he sustained as a result of the crash. The operator was identified as Paul LaFrance, 28, of Fall River.
Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County Distrct Attorney’s Office along with the State Police Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Unit responded to assist Westport Police in the investigation.
Preliminary investigation by Officer Scott Davis revealed that Mr. LaFrance was operating a motorcycle, a 2012 Suzuki GSXR, that had been reported stolen on July 5 in Somerset. After speaking with witnesses and other motorists, investigators believe that Mr. LaFrance was headed west at a high rate of speed on American Legion Highway approaching the intersection of Gifford Road. There the motorcycle collided with a motor vehicle heading south through the intersection.
The other in vehicle involved, a 2013 Hyundai, sustained front end damage. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
This was the second fatal motorcycle crash on Route 177 in two weeks. On June 23, a motorcyclist was killed at the corner of Route 177 and Tickle Road when his bike collided with a pickup truck.
“Westport Police urge drivers to keep in mind that during the summer months there will be an increase of motorcycles traveling on the roadways and to check not only your mirrors but turn around and check the blind spot,” Sgt. Dunn said.