Elderly Tewksbury Man Struck and Killed on I-93
After picking up a hubcap on the median, Tewksbury man was struck by an oil tanker.
An 83-year-old Tewksbury man was struck and killed on I-93 after reportedly attempting to retrieve a hubcap Thursday morning, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Edward Ruff, 83, of Tewksbury, parked his 1999 Nissan Altima in the breakdown lane between Exits 39 and 40 on the northbound side of the road, near Route 62. He exited his car and walked across all four lanes to retrieve a hubcap that he saw in the median, which was not from his car, shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday, said State Trooper James M. McTeague in his report.
After he secured the hubcap, Huff safely made it through the left lane and both middle lanes before an oil truck struck him.
Doug Hoagland, 40, of Hudson, NH, was driving the truck filled with oil, which is owned by Fred Fuller Oil Co., Inc., based in Derry, NH. A representative of Fred Fuller Oil declined comment on the incident because it is an ongoing police investigation.
At the time of the emergency call, Boston Medflight was requested to the scene, but that order was canceled when responders discovered the victim was dead on arrival.
The Wilmington Fire Department and the Highway Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation assisted state police at the scene.
Cool Fusion
8:15 am on Saturday, March 5, 2011
Lucky, this senior didn't cause a 12 car pileup and kill more than several with his insane action. Unfortunately, the truck driver has to live with this sad memory forever. The median strip is not craigs list.
Beth McFadyen
3:26 pm on Saturday, March 5, 2011
He was a resident in our community and a very sweet man at that. I too am very thankful that no others were physically hurt by the results of his actions, and I feel deep sorrow for the truck driver who will surely live with this sadness in his life forever. My heart also breaks for his dear wife, Monica, who he left behind. One could assume that a man who was willing to walk across four lanes of oncoming traffic certainly had impaired judgment. In my humble opinion, we should feel remorse for all involved. Rest in peace, Ed.
Joanne Kenney
8:57 am on Monday, March 7, 2011
Perfectly said, Beth...as usual.
bumskigrl
9:38 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011
So sorry for his son & family..whom I have known for some years...
bumskigrl
9:43 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011
@cool fusion - God help you when you have to deal with an aged family member that is on the edge..but not quite "checked out". You apparently have no clue and are a heartless piece of work! Maybe you can find a heart on craigs list!
Annie
11:34 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
11:15pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
This man removed the hubcap, to avoid others from getting into an accident. Objects on the highways, need to be removed by police. Many accidents take place due to debris left on the roads. He was being a good citizen by trying to remove the hubcap. Yes he should have been on the same side of the road that the hubcap was on. Going across a highway is never recommended. Give him credit for trying to do a good deed.
Carl Robbins
12:00 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
Now you think you had a "ruff" day! ..Wonder what this hubcap hoarding octogenarians house looks like...(I'm thinking a new reality show called "old bones and autos") ....Perhaps a little responsibility on the part of family or sensible people could have avoided this in the first place? Fortunately, in this case the demented diesel weasel only managed a delayed delivery and not a traffic Holocaust!