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High school student hit by cement truck in Danvers

E-mail|Link February 4, 2010 02:22 PM

By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff

DANVERS -- A 17-year-old high school student was struck by a cement truck as he crossed Route 62 walking to his school bus stop shortly before 7:30 a.m., police said today.

The victim was Mike Philbrook, a junior studying masonry at North Shore Technical High School in Middleton, said Daniel R. O’Connell, principal of the school.

Philbrook suffered a broken pelvis, but did not sustain any other broken bones, O'Connell said. He said students at the 430-student school were concerned for Philbrook.

“He is a fun, well-liked kid,” he said.

Danvers police identified the truck driver as Ronald Olsen, 62, of Seabrook, N.H.

Philbrook was crossing Route 62 (Maple Street) near its intersection with Burley Avenue when he was hit by the cement truck, said Danvers police spokesman Sergeant Robert Bettencourt.

The truck is owned by The Benevento Company of Wilmington. Charlie Benevento, owner of The Benevento Company, declined to comment on specifics of the incident.

“Everyone here is shaken,” Benevento said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the young man and his family.”

Philbrook was transported by Lyons Ambulance and then taken by a MedFlight helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital, Bettencourt said.

Philbrook is in the intensive care unit as MGH where he will undergo surgery to repair the fracture either tonight or tomorrow, O’Connell said.

O'Connell said Philbrok also suffered a contusion and a gash on his head which required stitches, O’Connell said.

Philbrook is in good spirits, said O’Connell, who spoke to the boy's father just after noon today.

“The father said that he [the boy] told him that the truck did slow down before it hit him,” O’Connell said.

The white cement truck was cordoned off with yellow caution tape and was parked behind the Danvers police station this morning. It has been seized as evidence, police said.

Police did not release the name of the driver. The truck arrived at the station with an accident reconstruction team from the State Police. The truck did not appear to be damaged, police said.

Solar glare is believed to be a factor in the accident while speed apparently did not play a role in the crash, Bettencourt said.

The teen is believed to have been walking alone in the crosswalk when he was struck by the truck, Bettencourt said. Several students waiting at the bus stop rushed to the aid of the injured student, Bettencourt said.

Sand and blood were visible at the accident on Route 62, which is a main road for students traveling to nearby Danvers High School, St. Johns Preparatory School, and the vocational school.

“It’s a highly congested area,” Bettencourt said.

He said the driver stopped and showed concern for the boy. “He was upset, trying to care for the youth,” said Bettencourt.

The incident is under investigation by Danvers and State Police.