A truck crashed into a health center in Devens, Massachusetts, causing a fire and killing the driver, authorities said Wednesday.
Police officials told NBC10 Boston that the incident appears to have been intentional and that the driver had family members who had previously been treated at the facility.
The accident happened just after 5:30 a.m. at the Tara Vista Behavioral Health Care Center on Patton Road, according to Massachusetts State Police. The facility is a regional provider of inpatient psychiatric care for children and adults throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, according to its website.
Aerial footage from the scene showed smoke billowing from the truck and building after the crash. Officials said firefighters were called to the fire, but it was quickly extinguished.
State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are on scene as part of the fire investigation. Devens Police are investigating the accident.
The driver’s name has not been released.
There were no injuries at the facility, Francis Saubergaard, CEO of Tara Vista and Mira Vista Behavioral Health Center, said at a news conference Wednesday morning. He said the truck crashed in front of the hospital complex and crashed into an empty administrative office. There was no damage to the hospital room.
“All patients and staff are safe and unharmed,” he said. “They were never in any danger.”
Saubergaard said the building remains structurally sound and the facility continues to treat patients. It will resume accepting new patients starting Thursday. He said the facility can accommodate 117 patients and was full at the time of the incident.
He said family members of patients with questions can call 978-615-5200.
“The people here in the building have done a great job,” Saubergaard said. “We couldn’t ask for more. Our entire staff worked together to make sure each and every patient was safe.”
No further information is available at this time.
