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RAYNHAM, Bristol County, Mass., Oct. 7, 2026 — An 18-year-old man was struck and killed Tuesday morning, October 6, while crossing Route 44 in Raynham. The pedestrian reportedly worked at a nearby Chipotle location on New State Highway.
The crash happened around 6:15 a.m. on New State Highway, also known as Route 44, a four-lane road with two travel lanes in each direction. Authorities said the young man was crossing the street when he was hit by a westbound Honda CR-V. Raynham Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita said the victim appeared to have been returning from a nearby Dunkin' Donuts before he was struck.
Firefighters arriving at the scene found the man in the roadway, where bystanders and police officers were already performing CPR. He was taken to Boston Medical Center-South, where he died of his injuries. LaCivita said the man suffered a serious head injury and may have sustained internal injuries from the impact.
The crash remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Raynham Police Department's Detective Division.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Why a Pedestrian Struck by a Vehicle Suffers Such Severe Injuries
A person on foot has nothing around them to absorb a collision. A vehicle has a frame, crumple zones and airbags built to protect the people inside it, none of which exist for someone standing in the roadway. When a car traveling at highway speed meets a pedestrian, nearly all of the force transfers directly into that person, concentrated at the point of contact, typically the legs, hips and head.
Speed matters more than almost anything else in these crashes. A vehicle moving 30 mph carries roughly double the kinetic energy of one moving 20 mph, and that energy has to go somewhere. On roads like Route 44, where posted speeds and multiple travel lanes mean vehicles are moving quickly in low morning light, a driver or pedestrian has very little time to notice the other before impact. A moment of distraction on either side, a phone glance, a missed glance at a crosswalk, removes what little reaction time exists.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023. That statistic reflects how often pedestrians and vehicles share the same space on roads built primarily for traffic flow rather than foot travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vehicle speed change a pedestrian's odds of survival?
Yes. Research consistently shows survival rates drop sharply as vehicle speed increases, since higher speed means more force transferred on impact and less time for either party to react.
Where do most pedestrian crashes happen?
National data shows the large majority occur in urban and suburban areas, often on multi-lane roads with higher speed limits rather than narrow residential streets.
Are pedestrians at greater risk after dark?
Low-light hours, including early morning and evening commutes, see a higher share of pedestrian crashes, largely because visibility drops for both drivers and people on foot.
What should someone do immediately after being hit by a car?
Call 911 right away, avoid moving unless necessary, and seek a full medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms do not appear until hours later.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Raynham, MA
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so emergency crews can respond. If you're able, note what you saw, including the direction vehicles were traveling and any traffic signals or crosswalks nearby, since those details help investigators reconstruct what happened.
Pedestrians struck by vehicles should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible, even if they feel able to walk away, because head and internal injuries aren't always immediately obvious. Family members of someone involved in a crash should keep records of hospital visits and any communication with police, which can be useful as the investigation proceeds. Raynham residents who regularly cross busy roads like those near local businesses should stay alert near crosswalks and intersections, especially during low-light morning and evening hours.
