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Northborough, MA (June 26, 2026) – A woman driving the wrong way lost her life, and another woman was hurt in a fiery wreck on Interstate 290 in Northborough on Wednesday night.
The collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on June 24. According to officials, multiple 911 callers reported a vehicle traveling eastbound in the wrong direction on I-290. State troopers later found the vehicle had struck another vehicle near Exit 27.
A Subaru and a Jeep caught fire after the collision, and both vehicles sustained severe front-end damage. A video from the scene showed one vehicle overturned and fully engulfed in flames, while the other also burned nearby.
The wrong-way driver, who was the sole occupant of her vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle escaped before emergency units arrived and was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said she suffered broken bones, lacerations, cuts, and some confusion. The circumstances surrounding the wreck remain under investigation.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the woman who lost her life and wish the injured driver a full recovery.
Why Wrong-Way Highway Collisions Are So Severe
Wrong-way highway collisions frequently result in serious outcomes because vehicles are frequently traveling toward each other at high speeds. The combined force involved in these head-on impacts greatly increases the risk of severe injuries and fatalities, even when modern vehicle safety features are present.
Investigators generally review emergency calls, roadway signs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to determine how a driver entered the highway in the wrong direction. They may also examine visibility, lighting, road design, and vehicle data to establish the sequence of events. Findings from these reviews can help identify factors that contribute to wrong-way driving and support future efforts to improve highway safety.
