Amorello deflects calls for his resignation

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chairman Matthew J. Amorello deflected repeated calls for his resignation this afternoon after a 38-year-old woman died Monday night when a tunnel collapsed and crushed her car.

Both Gov. Mitt Romney and Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly had publicly called for Amorello to step down earlier today.

“I have a great deal of respect for the attorney general and his efforts, and I have respect for the governor,” Amorello said at press conference shortly before 5 p.m. “I understand their discussions, and we’ll all work together cooperatively.”

“My commitment is to make sure that this never happens again,” Amorello continued, never directly addressing the calls for him to leave.

Asked if he was the best person for the job, Amorello said: “I think I am.”

Romney has repeatedly called for Amorello to resign, long before Monday night’s fatal ceiling tile collapse. This afternoon, the governor was blunt.

"He is secretive and resists oversight of his own board,'' Romney said, adding that Amorello has acted "contrary to the interests'' of taxpayers, bondholders and motorists.

"What happened last night of course is unacceptable,'' Romney said.

At his own press conference, Reilly’s said he had had strong words with Amorello this morning.

"I made it very clear to the chairman that I believe he has become a distraction at this point and that he should step down and avoid the process that the governor has started," Reilly said.

"This is in the best interest of the public right now," Reilly continued, adding that he believed that people had “lost confidence in him."

The attorney general has launched a criminal probe, seeking a negligent manslaughter charge in connection with the accident that killed Milena Del Valle, 38, of Jamaica Plain. Her husband Angel Del Valle, 46, crawled out of the car and was treated for minor injuries.

Amorello, who took over the turnpike authority four years ago, said he understood Reilly’s position.

“I think the attorney general is taking every prudent step necessary,” Amorello said. “This was a horrible event.”

At the same time, Amorello defended his tenure as authority chairman, saying he has stabilized the agency and controlled the cost of the project.