Two teens killed, one injured in Dorchester rollover
Two teenagers were killed and a third was gravely injured in a rollover crash on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester early Thursday in a car that had been reported stolen out of Jamaica Plain, State Police said in a statement.
The single-car crash took place at 3:17 a.m. near the intersection of Morrissey Boulevard and the entrance to the University of Massachusetts Boston, according to the State Police and dispatch transmissions recorded by Broadcastify.com.
One of the victims killed in the wreck was identified as a 14year-old boy from Dorchester. His name was not released. State Police said the second victim was also a teenage male but his age and hometown were not released pending confirmation of his identity, State Police said in the statement late Thursday afternoon.
The third person, a male teenager, was taken to a Boston hospital “in grave condition” and police were working to identify him, the statement said.
A fourth occupant was identified as a 15-year-old boy from Dorchester. He was also taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, State Police said. Authorities do not release the names of victims 17 and younger because they are juveniles under state law, State Police said.
The four occupants of the 2013 Hyundai Accent were ejected when the car rolled over multiple times, officials said.
The Hyundai was reported stolen out of Jamaica Plain earlier Thursday morning, and a firearm was found in the vehicle following the crash, State Police said. The car was towed to a State Police facility for further investigation, State Police said.
“The investigation into the facts and circumstances of the incident, including the actions of the four juveniles, and the sequence of events, prior to the crash, remains active,” State Police said.
The car was “traveling at a high rate of speed” at the time of the crash, State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said.
Moments before the crash, a Boston police officer reported seeing the vehicle drive through a red light in the Neponset section of Dorchester, according to dispatch transmissions recorded by Broadcastify.
The vehicle “just blew through a red light. Lights and sirens are initiated,” the officer told a dispatcher. “The car’s going about 45 [miles per hour] now. The car’s about 50 yards ahead of us.”
The dispatcher asked a commanding officer if a pursuit was authorized.
“If it’s just Chapter 90, terminate, please,” the commander said, referring to the state law for motor vehicle violations.
“As of right now, I believe so,” the officer responded.
“OK, call off the pursuit,” the dispatcher instructed.
“Lights and sirens are deactivated,” the officer replied.
The vehicle was then seen heading towards Quincy, the officer reported.
Moments later, the officer said the car was driving on Morrissey Boulevard.
“The car is driving erratic, swerving over vehicle lanes,” he said. “Going about 20 miles per hour ... the car’s passing 7-11 right now. Four occupants still in the vehicle.”
The dispatcher asked: “Just to confirm. We have nobody pursuing this motor vehicle? Is that correct?”
“Correct,” the officer responded. “No pursuing.”
About six minutes later, the officer said “the car just rolled over.”
“The car rolled over right at UMB,” the officer said, using the acronym for UMass Boston. “The car has rolled over. Rolled over. I repeat, a rollover.”
A State Police trooper also saw the crash and requested that ambulances be rushed to the scene.
A Boston police spokesperson declined comment, saying State Police are handling the crash investigation.