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Mashpee teenager dies in SUV crash, five others injured

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A 17-year-old has died from injuries he sustained when he crashed his SUV into a tree in Mashpee on Tuesday. Five other teens were injured, city officials said.

The crash happened just after 2 a.m. on Carleton Road near the intersection with Swain Circle, officials said. Five boys and two girls were in the Toyota RAV4 at the time, officials said. They were between the ages of 15 and 17 and were from Mashpee and Falmouth, city officials said.

“It appears the vehicle was traveling northbound on Carleton Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway and struck a tree south of Swain Circle,” Mashpee Police Chief Scott W. Carline said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened to report that one of the victims transported from the scene, a 17-year-old boy from Mashpee, later died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family during this time.”

A mourner laid flowers at the scene of the accident.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Hope Hanscom, assistant superintendent of Mashpee Public Schools, sent a message to the students’ families.

“It is with deep sadness that I share the news that there was a serious car accident in Mashpee early this morning involving several Mashpee Middle-High School students,” Hanscom wrote. “We will share more information as it becomes available, but I know you join us in keeping everyone involved and our Mashpee community in your thoughts and prayers.”

A counseling team was available after school Tuesday in the Mashpee Middle High School library, Hanscom said. She also provided links to help parents talk to their children about the tragedy: Riverside Grief Resources and Grief Responses.

The school’s athletic department’s “Touchdown Club” met Tuesday night at Lanes Bowl & Bistro in Mashpee “to not only be together during this time, but to raise funds,” including cash, gift cards and gas cards, “for affected Mashpee families,” according to a post on X.

Firefighters had to free the driver and passengers from the wrecked vehicle, said Fire Chief Jack Phelan.

Six teenagers were taken to nearby hospitals. One person did not require medical attention, he said.

Phelan said the severe damage to the vehicle was due in part to the SUV hitting an oak tree.

“If they had hit a pine tree, it probably would have broken,” he said. Oak trees are “very, very stable. They don’t move.”

He said he would set up a crisis briefing team for the firefighters who rescued the teenagers from the rubble and were involved in their treatment at the crash site.

Carline said the accident is currently under investigation by his department and the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council’s Accident Reconstruction Unit. He said more information will be released as it becomes available.

John R. Ellement can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @JREbosglobe. You can reach Tonya Alanez at [email protected]. Follow her @talanez.

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