ABINGTON, MA — A second person has died after a stolen SUV crashed into a tree during a police chase Wednesday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said the female victim died from injuries she suffered in the wreck on Washington Street near Central Street. The crash had already killed the driver, 17-year-old Sebastian Hamilton of Weymouth, who was pinned inside the vehicle with fatal injuries. The SUV was carrying five passengers in all, and the others sustained serious injuries that sent them to hospitals in the Boston area.
How The Chase Started
Police said an Abington officer spotted a Hyundai Santa Fe that had been reported stolen from Brockton on Tuesday. When the officer tried to stop it, the SUV sped away at a high rate of speed. Authorities said it then left the road and struck a tree. Video from the scene showed a heavily damaged red SUV resting off the side of the road beside a large tree. Officials said the passengers ranged in age from 14 to 17, reflecting how young the people involved were in the crash.
Victims Taken To Hospitals
Investigators said a 14-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle in the impact. Three other passengers remained inside and suffered life-threatening injuries. Those victims were taken first to nearby hospitals and later transferred to Boston hospitals for additional treatment. Police have not released the names of the injured passengers. Abington Police Chief John Bonney said he personally spoke with Hamilton’s mother on Wednesday, underscoring the toll the crash has taken on the families involved.
Response From Police And Firefighters
Bonney praised the first responders who worked the scene and described their response as heroic. He said the crash was traumatic for everyone involved, including the police officer who tried to stop the SUV. The officer has been placed on leave for administrative reasons, not punitive ones, Bonney said. The officer’s name was not released, but Bonney said the officer has been with the department for less than two years. Authorities have said the investigation is still active as they continue to sort out the details of what happened.
Traffic Impact And Next Steps
Washington Street was temporarily closed between Central Street and Lincoln Boulevard after the wreck, and police urged motorists to avoid the area and expect delays. The closure came as investigators worked the scene and emergency crews treated the injured. Bonney said the department is continuing to review the crash, which involved a stolen vehicle and a high-speed pursuit before impact. For now, officials say the focus remains on the people hurt in the crash and on determining exactly how the pursuit unfolded.