A tragic wrong-way crash claims the life of a woman on Route 9 near the Framingham – Southborough line. In the early hours of Friday, February 20, 2026, a devastating wrong-way crash on Route 9 East near Oak Hill Road claimed the life of a 37-year-old woman from Leominster, Massachusetts. In the early morning hours, Southborough Police and Fire Departments responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a serious collision on Turnpike Road (Route 9 East) near the Southborough-Framingham line.

Surveillance video from a nearby business appears to show a vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lanes of Route 9 just before the crash occurred. The driver of that vehicle, a 37-year-old Leominster woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver, a 23-year-old woman from Bolton, was transported by Southborough Fire to a local hospital with injuries that, while serious, are not believed to be life-threatening. Route 9 East was closed for several hours as investigators worked the scene. The crash remains under active investigation.

Why Wrong-Way Crashes Are Among the Most Deadly on Massachusetts Roads

I recently wrote about the hidden dangers of wrong way car crashes in Massachusetts due to the increase in these types of accidents. There have been several reports in the media about wrong-way crashes recently in Massachusetts. Our office has also seen an increase of calls of car crashes involving a wrong-way driver.  Wrong-way crashes are not ordinary accidents. They are among the most violent and fatal collisions that occur on Massachusetts highways and divided roadways. Unlike rear-end collisions or sideswipes, wrong-way crashes typically involve two vehicles traveling toward each other at significant speed, resulting in head-on impacts that generate enormous forces. The human body – and even modern vehicle safety systems – are often no match for the physics of a head-on collision at highway speeds.

Studies from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) consistently show that wrong-way crashes are disproportionately lethal. While they represent a small percentage of total crashes, they account for a much higher share of traffic fatalities. Roadways like Route 9 – a busy, divided, multi-lane road connecting Framingham, Natick, Southborough, and other MetroWest communities – are particularly vulnerable because of the combination of high speeds, limited lighting in the overnight hours, and the frequency of entry and exit points.

Common factors that contribute to wrong-way crashes in Massachusetts include impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs, driver confusion especially among elderly or unfamiliar drivers, distracted driving or fatigue in the overnight and early morning hours, poorly marked or maintained road signs, inadequate highway lighting, and drivers entering exit ramps believing they are entrance ramps.

The Route 9 Corridor: A History of Dangerous Driving

Route 9 is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in MetroWest Massachusetts, running through major communities including Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Southborough, and Westborough. As a divided highway with a center median, it is designed for one-directional travel in each lane – but that design also means a wrong-way driver can cover significant distance before being detected, especially in the pre-dawn hours when traffic is lighter and reaction times are reduced.

The Framingham and Southborough stretch of Route 9 has seen numerous serious accidents over the years, and advocacy for improved safety signage, wrong-way detection systems, and enhanced lighting has grown louder with every tragedy. This week's fatal crash is a devastating reminder that more still needs to be done to protect Massachusetts motorists.

The Devastating Consequences of Wrong-Way Crashes for Accident Victims

Survivors of wrong-way crashes – and there are not always survivors - typically face catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Because these collisions are nearly always head-on, the forces involved are extreme. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries including paralysis, multiple broken bones and fractures, severe lacerations and internal bleeding, crush injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological trauma, and long-term chronic pain and disability.

For families in Framingham, Natick, Southborough, Marlborough, and other MetroWest communities, the aftermath of a wrong-way crash can be financially and emotionally overwhelming. Medical bills pile up quickly. Surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Victims may be unable to work for months or years – or ever again. And through it all, families are left to cope with grief, fear, and uncertainty about the future.

Pursuing a Massachusetts Personal Injury Claim After a Wrong-Way Crash

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a wrong-way crash in Framingham, Southborough, or anywhere in Massachusetts, you have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Massachusetts law allows injured accident victims to seek damages from the at-fault driver and, in some cases, from other parties who may share responsibility for the crash.

What Damages Can Injury Victims Recover?

In a Massachusetts personal injury case arising from a wrong-way car accident, victims may be entitled to recover medical expenses including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation; lost wages and diminished future earning capacity; pain and suffering, which encompasses physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life; property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings; and out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident and your recovery.

Proving Fault in a Wrong-Way Crash

To recover compensation for injuries suffered in a car accident in Massachusetts, you must prove the other driver was at fault. The legal standard used in Massachusetts personal injury cases is negligence – the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised.

In many wrong-way crash cases, the evidence of fault is compelling – surveillance video, witness testimony, toxicology results, and physical evidence at the scene often paint a clear picture. However, insurance companies are rarely willing to simply write a check for fair compensation. They will probe every aspect of the case, look for ways to reduce their liability, and may even attempt to shift some blame onto the innocent victim.

That is why it is critical to have an experienced Framingham car accident attorney on your side from the very beginning. Attorney Chuck Pappas has handled serious car accident cases throughout Massachusetts, including crashes on Route 9, I-90, Route 30, and other major MetroWest roadways. He knows how to gather and preserve critical evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and fight insurance companies to maximize his clients' compensation.

Wrongful Death Claims in Massachusetts: Seeking Justice for a Lost Loved One

When a wrong-way crash takes the life of a family member, no amount of money can ever truly compensate for that loss. But Massachusetts law provides a legal path for families to pursue accountability and financial justice through a wrongful death claim.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Massachusetts?

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 229, Section 2, a wrongful death claim may be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate. The proceeds of the wrongful death claim are distributed to the surviving family members who suffered losses as a result of the death, which typically includes a surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased.

What Damages Are Available in a Massachusetts Wrongful Death Claim?

Massachusetts wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for the fair monetary value of the decedent, including her reasonably expected net income, services, protection, care, assistance, society, companionship, affection, guidance, and counsel; conscious pain and suffering the decedent endured before death; and medical and funeral expenses.

Contact Framingham Car Accident Lawyer Chuck Pappas Today

If you lost a loved one in a wrong-way crash on Route 9, or if you were seriously injured in any motor vehicle accident in Framingham, Southborough, Natick, Marlborough, or the surrounding MetroWest communities, our experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyers are here to help. We understand what Massachusetts accident victims and their families are going through — and we are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation they deserve.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to accident victims and their families throughout Massachusetts. There are no upfront fees – you pay nothing unless he wins your case. Call us today at (508) 879-3500 or fill out the online contact form to speak with an experienced Massachusetts car accident and wrongful death attorney who will stand in your corner every step of the way.