Reading, MA — May 2, 2025, One person was killed and one was injured after a car accident occurred at around 10:06 P.M. on Main Street.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of May 2nd. According to official reports, a Volvo was traveling on Main Street in the southbound lanes, when it allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Hopkins Street and struck an eastbound Ford which caused it to spin out and strike a passing Audi.

The Volvo also then collided with a Toyota pickup truck and when first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the Ford driver was fatally injured and pronounced deceased, while the driver of the Volvo and a passenger from the Toyota had sustained injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the identity of the deceased or the status of the motorist's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle reportedly runs a red light and sets off a chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries, the circumstances demand close and deliberate scrutiny. The May 2nd collision at the intersection of Main Street and Hopkins Street involves multiple points of impact and suggests a high-energy crash that requires a full investigation. To understand the sequence of events and determine what led to such a significant outcome, three critical questions must be addressed.

First, has the intersection been fully examined to determine how the crash unfolded and whether all traffic control devices were visible and functioning properly? Investigators need to confirm whether the Volvo had a clear red light, whether the Ford was entering the intersection under a protected signal, and how traffic flow at the time may have influenced timing. Skid marks, impact damage, debris patterns, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras will all be essential in reconstructing the crash and establishing which vehicle entered the intersection first.

Second, has any potential mechanical or electronic failure in the Volvo been evaluated? A failure to stop at a red light might indicate inattention, but it could also involve brake failure, throttle malfunction, or a compromised steering system. In collisions with multiple impacts, the vehicle’s structural integrity and safety features—such as crumple zones, airbags, and restraint systems—must also be assessed. If any system underperformed, that could have contributed to the severity of the crash and the resulting injuries.

Third, has electronic data from all involved vehicles been retrieved and analyzed? Vehicles such as the Volvo, Ford, Audi, and Toyota are likely equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs) that record speed, braking, throttle input, and steering commands in the seconds leading up to and during a crash. This data is critical to confirming whether the Volvo driver attempted to stop or avoid the collision and how each vehicle responded to the impacts. Supplementary video evidence or eyewitness accounts can provide additional clarity and either support or challenge the preliminary narrative.

In multi-vehicle crashes involving allegations of a red light violation and a resulting fatality, assumptions are not enough. These three questions—focused on scene reconstruction, vehicle functionality, and digital evidence—are essential to uncovering the full picture. Only with a thorough, evidence-driven approach can the investigation provide the answers needed for those affected and support broader efforts to improve intersection safety.