Child on scooter struck, killed by tractor-trailer at busy Andover intersection

ANDOVER, Mass. — A 6-year-old girl on a scooter was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer at a busy intersection in Andover on Tuesday afternoon.

The crash happened at approximately 5:14 p.m. at Elm and Main streets, or Route 28, while several people were crossing the intersection. According to officials, the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2015 Freightliner truck with a trailer attached was stopped at a red light at the intersection at the same time an adult female with three children were at the crosswalk to the west of the Freightliner attempting to cross the street, state police said.

When the Freightliner started moving again it struck one of the three children, a 6-year-old girl, who was crossing on a scooter in the crosswalk.

The child was transported to Lawrence General Hospital where she died of her injuries. The truck driver remained on scene.

“We have interviewed multiple witnesses, documented the scene photographically, begun the crash reconstruction, and are inspecting the Freightliner tractor and the trailer,” state police said in a statement on Wednesday.

A man who works nearby heard the commotion and looked up to see something that shook him.

“I see a woman holding a child. And then I see cops come and the ambulance and the fire and they tape everything up,” said Kyle Perry of Andover.

Several other people who were in a crosswalk at the time of the crash were not struck but were taken to an area hospital as a precaution, according to police.

Child struck and killed by a tractor-trailer in Andover intersection

Late into the evening police retrieved the small scooter still under the Sysco truck.

“I think there was a kid on a scooter crossing the family was crossing and the truck went through and struck him,” said Perry.

Elm and Main is a notoriously bad intersection, according to Perry.

“I’ve seen little fender benders. People almost getting and jumping out of the way kind of thing. I walk here every single day and I’ve had close calls like that too,” said Perry.

The driver of the Sysco tractor-trailer stayed on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, police say.

“The Sysco family is heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of a pedestrian today in an incident involving one of our vehicles from Sysco Boston. We offer our condolences and prayers to the individual’s family and community and are grieving with them for their loss,” said a spokesperson for Sysco. “The safety of our community is of utmost importance to Sysco. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and are conducting our own internal investigation to understand how this tragedy occurred. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

An investigation is ongoing to determine if charges are warranted, state police said.

Officials from the Andover Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office are investigating.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group