Westford man killed in four-car crash on I-495 in Methuen

By Derek J. Anderson, Globe Correspondent

One man was killed and another man suffered life-threatening injuries after a car crossed the median into oncoming vehicles on Interstate 495 in Methuen Friday afternoon, causing a four-car collision, State Police said.

Jeffrey Plante, 35, of Newburyport, was driving his 2005 Toyota Corolla on the northbound side of I-495 when his car hit the median, went airborne, and crashed into another vehicle, sparking the multi-car collision around 3:35 p.m., State Police said in a statement. It was not known what caused Plante’s car to veer off the highway.

Plante’s car collided with a 2008 Toyota Camry driven by Kurt Kelly 32, of Westford. Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police said.

Plante was severely injured and was flown by medical helicopter to Boston Medical Center. His condition was unknown as of late Friday night, but State Police said his injuries were life-threatening.

Both sides of the highway were closed for approximately 45 minutes after the crash, State Police said. The southbound side of the highway remained closed for about three-and-a-half hours and traffic was diverted to Route 110, State Police said, noting that traffic was backed up for several miles in both directions.

No one else was injured in the collision and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.