Victim Clings To Life After Salem Road Accident

Local and State Police continue to investigate the cause of an accident that has left a 61-year-old Tewksbury man clinging to life in a Boston Hospital.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the victim is on life-support in the Intensive Care Unit at Boston Medical Center.

"It's a very difficult situation for everyone," said the source, who asked that their name not be used, because they are not authorized to speak officially about the case.

According to Tewksbury Police, the accident took place at around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The victim was struck as he crossed Salem Street in the vicinity of Country Road. It's unclear if the victim was or was not in a crosswalk at the time he was hit by a small sedan, driven by a 24-year-old woman.

Police have not released the name of the victim or the driver. No charges have been filed as yet.

According to an article appearing on lowellsun.com, there was heavy damage to the hood and the windshield of the sedan, indicating that the victim flipped up onto the car after he was hit.

According to the driver was heading in the direction of Wilmington at the time of the accident.

Tewksbury Patch readers who live in the Salem Street area, say cars travelling at a high rate of speed has been a problem along that road.

"The problem is about six years ago the town installed a sidewalk and crosswalk (which is the area where the gentleman was hit) to encourage pedestrian travel but the town has failed to enforce its speed limit" commented Amy W, who said the accident occurred right in front of her house on Salem Street. "If the town can't enforce the speed limit they should remove the sidewalk. Getting our mail or shoveling the end of our driveway have become incredibly dangerous."

"I've lived on Salem my whole life and I'm ashamed to admit it but I've actually become almost desensitized to the accidents that happen at the corner of Salem and South, " added Chad B. "They happen at such a high frequency that it feels like the norm. People blow through that intersection all the time. They need to get it into their heads that Salem Road is not a drag strip."

Deputy Police Chief John Voto said Salem Street is the subject of regular traffic enforcement. He was hesitant to compare it to other Tewksbury streets in terms of level of danger but did say the department is aware of the concerns of residents.