Paul Addonizio Died in a Collision With Tractor-Trailer Truck by Lynnway and Commercial Street in Lynn
LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS (January 21, 2026) – A man identified as Paul Addonizio has tragically died in a Lynn semi-truck accident at the intersection of Lynnway and Commercial Street.
Essex County officials say the accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Monday. Paul Addonizio was near the intersection when he was hit by a passing tractor-trailer truck as a pedestrian.
Paramedics were called to the accident scene to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, Paul Addonizio died due to the severe nature of his injuries.
The victim was well known in the local community. His death was followed by an outpouring of grief and sympathy on social media.
A full investigation into the deadly Lynn truck accident is still ongoing at this time.
Liability for Lynn Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and operate with an abundance of caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. This necessitates that they maintain a safe speed at all times. According to MGL c. 90 § 17, “No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public.” Truck drivers should take several actions to avoid colliding with pedestrians.
- Speed: Truck drivers must reduce their speed to a level that is safe, given the prevailing traffic conditions. They must travel more slowly through school zones, construction zones, and other areas where pedestrians are likely to congregate.
- Blind Spots: Truck drivers should be aware of their blind spots and check them before making turns at intersections.
- Maintenance: Truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well-maintained.
- Horn: Truck drivers should use their horns when necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence.
If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Even if a pedestrian was outside of a marked crosswalk, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to operate their vehicle in a safe manner to avoid hitting a pedestrian. It is possible that a truck company could be vicariously liable if a truck driver hit a pedestrian. However, many truck companies hire their drivers as independent contractors to limit their legal exposure in the event of an accident.
Steps to Take After Lynn Truck Accidents
Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable to the hazards posed by motor vehicles. They represent a large portion of traffic fatalities each year. According to the NHTSA, “Pedestrian fatalities per year steadily decreased from the late 1970s to 2009 when the United States reached a low of 4,109 deaths (Reish, 2021; Schneider, 2020). However, the number of pedestrian fatalities has increased since 2009, leading to a 5-year average of 6,502 pedestrian deaths during the 5 most recent years (2017 to 2021).” Certain steps should be taken after any pedestrian accident with a truck.
- Surveillance Footage: All of the surveillance footage that may be associated with the accident should be sought. This could come from traffic cameras and even potentially nearby businesses.
- Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be carefully reviewed. These reports represent an officer’s initial impression of what happened and who may be liable.
- Truck Records: The information obtained by a truck’s event data recorder should be studied. The event data recorder on a truck contains important information about how a truck has been operated prior to any collision.
- Legal Review: The family of any person who died in a truck accident should seek an independent investigation of the incident with the team experienced in wrongful death claims. There are no costs associated with having a legal team conduct a thorough, independent investigation.
Truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve younger and less experienced truck drivers who are failing to abide by traffic regulations. Part of the problem is that many truck drivers are pushed to complete their delivery routes as quickly as possible. This can compromise safety in a variety of different ways. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Lynn Truck Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Paul Addonizio. Anyone who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this particular intersection safer. As towns and cities across Massachusetts have continued to grow, the traffic infrastructure to keep pedestrians safe has not kept pace.
Do you need more information about a Lynn truck accident? Our team of truck accident attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding truck companies accountable for the wrongful actions of their drivers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.