Teen faces charges after deadly crash

Passenger killed after 17-year-old drives minivan into pole

By Owen Boss

BARRE — A teen is facing several charges following an automobile accident Friday night that resulted in the death of his passenger when the minivan he was driving struck a utility pole near South Barre Road and Elm Street. According to a statement the Barre Police Department issued, Barre Fire Chief Joseph Rogowski and Police Chief Erik Demetropoulos responded to the accident, which occurred at approximately 4 p.m., to find a damaged 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by 17-year-old Jeffrey Harnois of 228 Pleasant St. resting on the side of road. Cpl. Timothy W. Ury from the Barre Police Department and members of the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section investigated to determine the cause of the accident. They found that the front passenger side of the van had apparently struck a pole near the intersection of Elm Street, breaking off a piece of wood, and then continuing on and eventually coming to rest near Grove Street. According to Mr. Demetropoulos, police officers, firefighters and EMTs who responded to the scene attempted to administer care to both occupants of the vehicle. The van’s passenger, Patrick A. Provost, 17, was transported to Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, where he was pronounced dead from a severe head injury. Mr. Harnois was taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and was later released. Mr. Harnois was placed under arrest early Monday afternoon and arraigned at the Western Worcester District Court in East Brookfield on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in death, junior operator law restriction violation and involuntary manslaughter. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday for Mr. Provost in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in North Grafton. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 7/22/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 172)