Driver of Fatal Westfield Crash Identified

April 27, 2016 -Springfield, MA- On Tuesday April 26, 2016 the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s Office as well as the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section responded to a motor vehicle crash on Union Street in Westfield, Ma. The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle has been identified as Rakeem Elijah Nelson, 21, of Springfield, Ma.

An investigation led by the Massachusetts State Police revealed the vehicle came to a turn in the road, failed to properly negotiate this turn and went off the roadway striking a tree. Responding officers from the Westfield Police Department observed the operator was in need of medical attention, which they provided until the arrival of Westfield Fire Department Ambulance personnel. The operator of the vehicle was transported to Baystate Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
 
Prior to the accident, the operator of the vehicle had been involved in a traffic stop after an officer observed him traveling at a high rate of speed. While the officer tried to confirm the identity of the driver, the driver of the vehicle took off, again operating at a high rate of speed. When officers began their pursuit they observed the vehicle turn onto Union Street and shortly thereafter came upon the scene of the accident.   
 
The accident remains under investigation.
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