High school senior killed in wrong-way crash

A high school senior driving the wrong way on Route 1 in the Saugus-Revere area died in a head-on collision early Sunday morning.

Shortly after 3 a.m., troopers from the Revere Barracks and Saugus police responded to reports of a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Route 1 in that area, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. 

As officers were responding, the driver struck a vehicle head-on, just south of Sargent Street in Revere, officials said. Upon arrival, officers found the wrong-way vehicle “completely engulfed in flames.” 

The wrong-way driver died at the scene, despite life-saving efforts by police and fire personnel. The driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was transported to a Boston hospital, officials said. 

Route 1 was shut down in the area until 8:15 a.m., and the crash remains under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.

The driver’s identity was not released, but Triton Regional School District Superintendent Brian Forget confirmed the driver was a senior at Triton Regional High School. 

“Our student was highly involved and connected to many within the Triton community,” he said. “Those who knew him saw daily how kind and caring he was to each and every member of our school community. We are heartbroken, and as a community, we grieve this loss.” 

Forget said counselors, support staff, and comfort dogs would be available for students at the high school. 

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family,” he said. “We are committed to supporting our students and staff in every way we can during this difficult time.”