Woman Killed and Husband Seriously Hurt After Plow Truck Backs Into Couple in MBTA Norwood Central Parking Lot During Snowstorm
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS — A 51-year-old woman was killed and her husband was seriously injured Sunday after a plow truck backing up in an MBTA commuter rail parking lot struck the couple during a snowstorm, according to officials.
Police said Noriko Rapley, 51, of Norwood, and her 47-year-old husband were walking through the MBTA Norwood Central parking lot around 2 p.m. when a Ford F-350 pickup equipped with a plow reversed and hit them. Rapley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her husband was transported to an area hospital with injuries that officials said are serious but not considered life-threatening.
Authorities said the plow driver — a 33-year-old man — remained on scene and is cooperating with investigators. Officials noted the driver is not an MBTA employee, but works for a private company contracted by the MBTA for snow removal. It was not immediately clear whether charges will be filed.
“We also had a real tragedy yesterday,” Gov. Maura Healey said, referring to the incident. “There was a couple walking through an MBTA Commuter Rail parking lot and they were struck by a plow… And the wife was killed. I’ve spoken with her husband, and it’s devastating. It is heartbreaking. And my heart goes out to their family.”
The crash is being investigated by MBTA Transit Police and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.
“This is an unimaginable, horrific incident,” said Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan. “On behalf of the Transit Police and the entire MBTA organization, we express our most sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
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