Melrose Woman Killed In I-95 Crash

BOXFORD, MA — A Melrose woman was killed in an early morning crash on I-95 in Boxford Saturday, State Police said. The crash happened around 12:50 a.m. on the northbound side of the highway near Exit 53A.

Police said a 2009 Toyota Avalon went off the right side of the highway, hitting a guardrail before driving into trees off the breakdown lane. The driver, a 25-year-old Derry, NH woman, and passenger, 26-year-old Shana Fusco-Russell, of Melrose, were thrown from the car. The car was on fire when troopers arrived at the scene.

Fusco-Russell was flown to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver was also hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, State Police said. A second passenger, a 27-year-old Winthrop man, sustained minor injuries.

Investigators believe the car was speeding in the left lane before abruptly crossing all lanes and going off the road, State Police said.

Traffic on I-95 North was temporarily closed and detoured at Exit 52 Saturday.