Patrick Sarpong, 35, of Vernon, Connecticut, Died After Being Hit by Passing Tractor-Trailer Truck on Interstate 90 West in Hopkinton
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS (February 26, 2026) – A man identified as Patrick Sarpong has tragically died in a Hopkinton semi-truck accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Massachusetts State Police are saying that the collision took place on Monday night. Patrick Sarpong was standing by the edge of the roadway while clearing snow away from his vehicle when he was hit by a passing tractor-trailer truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Westborough Fire and Emergency Medical Services began life-saving measures.
Patrick Sarpong was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
It remains unclear if the truck driver involved will receive any citations for the crash. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Hopkinton Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and are expected to operate their vehicles with an abundance of caution to avoid accidents. Pursuant to MA Gen L ch 89 § 4a, “the driver of a vehicle shall so drive that the vehicle shall be entirely within a single lane, and he shall not move from the lane in which he is driving until he has first ascertained if such movement can be made with safety.” Truck drivers should take several measures to avoid pedestrians.
- Scanning: Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for pedestrians and other potential hazards.
- Speed: Truck drivers should reduce their speed during periods of inclement weather and when any pedestrians may be nearby.
- Horn: Truck drivers may need to use their horn to alert pedestrians of their presence.
- Blind Spots: Truck drivers should check their blind spots before changing lanes or making turns at any intersection.
When truck drivers fail to slow down to avoid any pedestrian in the roadway, they could be held at fault through a civil claim. Liability for a truck accident could extend to several different entities beyond any particular driver. The company or entity that owns the truck could be liable. Generally speaking, a vehicle owner in Massachusetts can be liable for the wrongful actions of any person who is lawfully operating their vehicle.
Steps to Take After Massachusetts Semi-Truck Accidents
Many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in collisions with trucks. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, “Between 2009 and 2023, pedestrian deaths rose a staggering 80%, while all other traffic fatalities increased 13%. Light trucks accounted for 54% of pedestrian fatalities where a vehicle type was known in 2023, compared to 37% for passenger cars.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any truck accident.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to the accident should be preserved. These records can be helpful in many different ways.
- Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be reviewed. This report can help reveal what an officer’s initial impressions of the accident were and who they believed may have been at fault.
- Event Data Recorder: Commercial trucks come equipped with a device known as an event data recorder. This device contains information about how a truck was being handled prior to any crash.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a pedestrian accident should seek independent review of the accident by a team experienced in accident reconstruction and negligence claims.
Semi-truck accidents are often highly preventable. The truck driver involved may have been traveling at an unsafe speed or failed to move over to avoid coming in close proximity with the pedestrian. Even if a pedestrian was standing in the middle of the roadway, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to slow down and avoid a crash. Unfortunately, truck companies will often push their drivers to complete routes on unrealistic time schedules. This can lead to those drivers adopting unsafe driving habits.
Investigating Massachusetts Semi-Truck Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Patrick Sarpong. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Massachusetts State Police. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. A number of questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the semi-truck driver? Is there a history of collisions along this stretch of road?
Do you need more information about a Hopkinton truck accident? Our team of truck accident lawyers is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck companies are held fully accountable for the negligent actions of their drivers. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.