Local News
Thomas Perkins and his wife Agatha Perkins killed in plane crash onto I-195 in Dartmouth
DARTMOUTH, Massachusetts — A tragic plane crash on Monday morning claimed the lives of a Rhode Island couple when their single-engine aircraft went down on Interstate 195 in southern Massachusetts, bursting into flames upon impact.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. when the aircraft attempted to make an emergency landing on the grassy median of I-195 near Exit 22 in Dartmouth.
The impact ignited a fire, and thick smoke was seen billowing from the wreckage moments later.
State Police confirmed that both occupants aboard the plane were killed. “This morning’s incident has resulted in the death of two individuals aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. We offer our condolences to their families and loved ones,” the agency said in a statement.
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn identified the victims as Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, Agatha Perkins, 66, both residents of Middletown, Rhode Island.
According to Quinn, both victims were located inside the aircraft’s fuselage and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
A passing motorist sustained non-life-threatening injuries when debris from the aircraft struck their vehicle.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment.
Video footage recorded by other motorists showed the wreckage engulfed in flames on the highway median.
The plane’s wings appeared separated from the fuselage, and the forward section of the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft was a Socata TBM-700, a single-engine turboprop capable of carrying up to six passengers.
According to FlightAware data, the plane departed from New Bedford Regional Airport at 8:10 a.m., bound for Kenosha, Wisconsin, with a scheduled arrival time of 10:09 a.m. Preliminary findings suggest the aircraft may have experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff and was attempting to return to the airport before crashing.
“Preliminary information indicates the plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport,” State Police said. “It does not appear that the pilot provided the airport with a flight plan or the number of occupants aboard.”
The crash occurred amid poor weather conditions associated with a nor’easter affecting the New England region, bringing rain, wind gusts up to 40 mph, and reduced visibility.
In response to the crash, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) temporarily closed I-195 in both directions near Exit 22. The highway remained closed for approximately five hours as emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
The Bristol County State Police Detective Unit, Crime Scene Services Section, and Field Services were all present at the site, along with first responders from New Bedford Fire and EMS.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assumed responsibility for investigating the cause of the crash. However, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the FAA stated it is not responding to routine media inquiries at this time.
Authorities are continuing to examine the wreckage and flight data to determine the precise cause of the fatal crash.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. — Tragedy struck early Sunday morning when a house fire claimed the lives of four family members in Gaffney, South Carolina.
Officials say the blaze broke out inside a one-story wood-frame home on East Third Street shortly before 1:40 a.m.
According to the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office, one resident, identified as Kathy Shippy, managed to escape the burning home and ran across the street to alert a neighbor and call 911.
Surveillance footage from the neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the home already fully engulfed in flames by the time the call was made.
Coroner Dennis Fowler identified the victims as:
- Willie Morris, 38
- Dakeyia Shippy, 25
- Mason Issac, 4
- Jerekry McGill, 7 months
All were residents of the home and relatives of the survivor.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire began after Morris attempted to refuel a kerosene heater inside the home, which caused the blaze to ignite suddenly and spread rapidly.
“All four victims were found on the floor of the kitchen at the rear of the house and appeared to have been trying to escape through a window when they were overcome by smoke,” the coroner’s office reported.
Autopsies are scheduled to determine the precise causes of death and assist investigators in confirming the fire’s origin.
Gaffney Fire Chief Jamie Caggiano urged the public to use extreme caution when operating space or kerosene heaters.
“Never attempt to refuel a heater indoors or while it is still hot,” Chief Caggiano said, emphasizing fire safety during colder months.
The incident remains under joint investigation by the Gaffney Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Authorities described the loss as “heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family and community members affected by the tragedy.