BELCHERTOWN — Two local women were identified Tuesday as the victims of a fatal motor vehicle crash the day before on State Street.
The crash claimed the lives of driver Laurel Place, 59, and her 83-year-old mother, Doris Place, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
“The cause of the crash remains under investigation, although no foul play is suspected,” spokeswoman Mary Carey said in a statement.
The pickup truck was traveling north on State Street. Just past the intersection of Route 21, Place failed to turn with the road as it curved and the vehicle left the road, ultimately colliding with a tree trunk and catching fire, according to Belchertown police dispatcher David Squires.
The crash happened Monday morning, and Laurel Place was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother’s death was announced later on Monday. State Street was closed during part of the afternoon as the district attorney’s office and Massachusetts State Police investigated the crash.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.
