Wrong-way driver causes multi-car crash

WAREHAM, Mass. (WPRI) -- At least three people were hurt in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Route 495 in Wareham.

Mass. State Police were alerted of a driver going southbound on the northbound side of the highway just after midnight, and as they were responding, the motorist collided with multiple vehicles.

One woman was trapped and had to be extricated from her wrecked vehicle.

Police have identified the wrong-way driver as Kevin H. Schmidt, 24, of Middleborough. He was transported to Tobey Hospital following the crash, then was transported by Med Flight to Beth Israel Hospital. His injuries have been described as serious.

One woman was transported to Rhode Island Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and another suffered minor injuries but was not transported from the scene.

Troopers are now investigating as to why Schmidt was going the wrong way on the highway.

The northbound side of Rt. 495 remains shut down, and traffic is being diverted off at Exit 2.

This the most recent in a string of related incidents in Southern New England. Back in December, three people died in a wrong-way crash in Connecticut. Another occurred late last month on I-95 in Providence.

Stay with Eyewitness News and wpri.com for more on this developing story.