Authorities have identified Gerald Patriquin, 89, and Margaret Patriquin, 74, as the Gardner residents who tragically lost their lives in a multi-vehicle collision on the Daniel Shays Highway (Route 202) in New Salem. The fatal crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday, December 6, according to Laurie Loisel, spokesperson for the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. The Patriquins were traveling in a truck involved in the three-vehicle crash. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that the Patriquins were the only occupants of their vehicle, and while other individuals sustained injuries in the collision, no additional fatalities were reported.
One of the vehicles involved was a commercial dump truck. A 45-year-old Chicopee man, driving another vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment. Another driver, a 35-year-old man from Orange, was treated for injuries at Athol Memorial Hospital. The conditions of both drivers have not been disclosed. The cause of the crash is under investigation by state police detectives in collaboration with the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. Investigative support is being provided by several specialized units, including the Crime Scene Services Section, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section.
Route 202 was closed for several hours following the crash to allow emergency responders and investigators to examine the scene. The highway reopened shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday. Officials have stated that no charges are expected to be filed at this time. This tragic accident has left the Gardner community mourning the sudden loss of Gerald and Margaret Patriquin. Their passing serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of road travel and the importance of vigilance behind the wheel. As the investigation continues, the community remembers the couple and reflects on the devastating consequences of the incident.
