Van Thi Khanh Doan Died in Worcester Car Accident With Tow Truck By Cantebury Street and Grand Street
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS (June 11, 2026) – A woman identified as Van Thi Khanh Doan has tragically died in a Worcester tow truck accident by the intersection of Cantebury Street and Grand Street.
Worcester County officials are saying that the accident occurred on Wednesday. Van Thi Khanh Doan was on the sidewalk and crossing the street when she was struck by a tow truck that was turning left.
Officers were called to the scene of the crash to help the injured woman. She was suffering from severe injuries to her head and leg.
Officers placed a tourniquet around her leg to help stop the bleeding. Paramedics were also called to the scene to help her. Sadly, Van Thi Khanh Doan was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Worcester Police Department is currently investigating the crash and will make a determination of whether the tow truck driver involved will face any charges.
At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we believe that bringing attention to these devastating incidents is a vital part of our commitment to community safety and supporting families during their darkest hours. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Van Thi Khanh Doan. Navigating the sudden, overwhelming aftermath of a fatal car accident can leave families feeling completely lost, which is why our legal team is dedicated to serving as a compassionate, reliable anchor.
Liability for Massachusetts Tow Truck Accidents
Tow truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid colliding with other vehicles on the roadway. They must be particularly cautious when making a left turn at any intersection. According to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 89, § 11, “the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk marked in accordance with standards established by the department of highways.” Tow truck companies should take a number of actions to help prevent pedestrian accidents.
- Left Turns: Tow truck companies should eliminate as many left turns as possible in the routes their drivers take.
- Training: Tow truck companies should ensure that all their drivers are well trained and properly licensed for the specific vehicle they are using.
- Maintenance: Tow truck companies should ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.
- Safety Features: Tow truck companies should consider installing safety features on their vehicles, such as blind spot monitoring systems.
If a tow truck driver makes a left turn into the path of a pedestrian crossing the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Commercial drivers are supposed to properly scan the road ahead of them and proceed to turn when it is reasonably safe to do so. Liability for any accident involving a tow truck could extend to several parties beyond any driver held at fault. This is particularly true if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash. Generally speaking, employers in Massachusetts can be vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their workers who were operating within their job duties.
Demonstrating Negligence After Worcester Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have increasingly been forced to navigate roadways with larger and larger vehicles. This has led to a predictable rise in more serious accidents. According to NPR, “The majority of vehicles sold in the U.S. are now SUVs and light trucks, which can have front ends that are often 40 inches or taller. Safety advocates say that’s one reason why pedestrian fatalities are up more than 75% since reaching their lowest point in 2009.” Several pieces of evidence can help demonstrate that one party acted negligently prior to any pedestrian collision.
- Surveillance: All of the surveillance footage that may have captured the collisions should be captured.
- Phone Records: The phone records of the truck driver involved should be sought. Many pedestrian accidents involve drivers that are distracted by their phones.
- Medical Records: The nature of a person’s injuries can help reveal how a collision took place. This is why gathering medical records is critical.
- Police Reports: Though police reports cannot act as a substitute for a rigorous accident investigation, they are important pieces of evidence and can be used for a variety of different purposes.
Car accidents are often highly complex. The factors that contribute to any specific collision can take place long beforehand. They may involve negligence on the part of several different entities. In particular, many truck companies push their drivers to adopt unsafe habits. The family of any person killed in a tow truck accident is protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
DiBella Law Investigates Massachusetts Pedestrian Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Van Thi Khanh Doan. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many different questions have yet to be answered. Is there a history of collisions at this intersection? What safety features are in place at this intersection? What is the safety record of the company that owned the tow truck?
Do you need more information about a Massachusetts tow truck accident? Our team of personal injury lawyers are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and truck companies are held fully accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any crash, we may be able to assist you. You can contact us anytime at 855-342-3552.
