NEW SALEM — A 75-year-old Leicester man was killed by a fallen tree while driving on Route 122 near the intersection with Sweezy Lane on Wednesday.

According to Massachusetts State Police Trooper James DeAngelis, troopers from the Athol barracks responded to Route 122 at 11:51 a.m. for an incident involving a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado struck by a falling tree.

The 75-year-old driver of the pickup truck suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. He was alone in the vehicle, according to Northwestern District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Laurie Loisel.

Fire Chief Joe Cuneo, who was not among the emergency personnel to respond, said at around 3 p.m. that first responders were still working there.

The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by State Police troopers from the Athol barracks, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Detective Unit for Hampshire and Franklin counties. DeAngelis noted that the investigation involves determining the exact sequence of events that led to the tree falling.

Reach Julian Mend oza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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