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Illegal fireworks found in line-painting truck that crashed

E-mail|Link|Comments () November 20, 2009 12:24 PM

By Michaela Stanelun, Globe Correspondent

The driver of a line-painting truck that fell on its side early this morning may be facing more charges because powerful illegal fireworks were found in the truck, State Police said.

Christopher Mandeville, 37, of Quincy, was driving on Route 3 North in Duxbury at 2 a.m. when the truck overturned, spilling propane, which is used to heat the paint, onto the highway.

State Police spokesman David Procopio said two sticks of M-Class explosives, best described as illegal fireworks, were found with Mandeville.

"There is an investigation going on by the State Police into why the driver had those on his person," Procopio said. "It is likely that he will be charged by State Police attached to the fire marshal's office."

All lanes were closed at 2 a.m., and several stayed closed up until 6:30 a.m. But the road was completely reopened at 11 a.m.

Procopio said that the left lanes on both sides of Route 3 will be closed intermittently during the day today because the highway department needs to continue cleaning up the median and repair damage done to the guardrail.

Mandeville, who suffered minor injuries and was taken to South Shore Hospital, was cited with a civil violation for a marked lanes offense. In addition to the State Police, the Duxbury police and fire departments, Pembroke police, and state highway department are investigating.