Woman, 87, killed in Littleton as holiday travel ramps up

An elderly Massachusetts woman was killed in an accident as the holiday weekend began.

Though early reports predicted there would be more drivers on the road than ever this Thanksgiving holiday, officials said they had not seen an increase in drunken driving accidents or arrests.

Police said 87-year-old Gertrude Houghton's 2009 Toyota Corolla struck an oncoming tractor-trailer at Spectacle Pond Road and Route 110 in Littleton while trying to make a left turn. The Littleton resident was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told police the truck's driver, Serge Maillet, did everything he could to avoid Houghton's vehicle. Two other cars were involved in the collision, but no other injuries were reported. Police said rain may have played a factor in the accident.

State Trooper Eric Benson said there had not been any other fatal car accidents reported on state roads so far this holiday. There were five fatal accidents - two involving alcohol - over last year's Thanksgiving holiday weekend, he said.

State Police had set up a sobriety checkpoint in Boston on Wednesday night, Benson said, and they planned to set up others across the state throughout the weekend.

He said Thanksgiving is usually a time of high incidences of drunken driving.

"The holiday season, you obviously have a lot of people traveling and celebrating, often times with alcohol," Benson said.

Traffic on the state roads remained heavy on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, despite recommendations by police to avoid driving during those times. Benson said State Police anticipate heavy traffic on Sunday and suggest travelers avoid driving if possible.

He also said drivers should check the radio for traffic developments and call the State Police at 511 for updates.

Officer Eddy Crispin of the Boston Police Department said no drunken driving arrests have been made since Tuesday.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.