According to Massachusetts State Police, a 10-year-old boy was killed Saturday night when a stolen SUV fleeing Gillette Stadium in Plainville collided with a family car stopped at a red light.
The tragic chain of events began around 8:30 p.m. when 42-year-old Michael Escolas of Oxford allegedly stole a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a parking lot at Gillette Stadium, where a Kenny Chesney concert was taking place. According to authorities, Escolas then sped south on Route 1 before hitting a Nissan Altima near the intersection with Interstate 495.
The Altima, which stopped at a red light, was carrying a family: two parents and their four children. All six family members suffered serious injuries and were taken to area hospitals, where the 10-year-old boy was pronounced dead.
State police officials reported that the Jeep was stolen from a Vermont couple who had parked it at the stadium to attend the concert. Escolas, who was arrested at the scene, is suspected of driving under the influence. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and remains in custody.
A total of four vehicles were involved in the accident. Among the first responders who arrived at the scene were police officers who had been working at the concert, along with personnel from the State Police Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Division, the Crime Scene Services Division and the Norfolk County Criminal Investigation Division.
The accident resulted in the temporary closure of Route 1 and several exits on I-495, causing traffic delays for several hours. The roads were reopened shortly before midnight.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said Escolas is expected to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and theft of a motor vehicle. He is currently being held on $25,000 bail.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and authorities continue to gather details about the circumstances of the incident.
A Gillette Stadium spokesperson issued a statement following the accident. “We are deeply saddened and extend our sincere condolences to the family who tragically lost a loved one. We are working with the Massachusetts State Police, who are conducting the investigation under the jurisdiction of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, to understand the circumstances of this tragic event. We again extend our deepest sympathies to the family.”
“We extend our condolences to the family for the loss of their child. Due to the child’s age and out of respect for the family, we will not be releasing his identity during this difficult time,” state police said in a statement.
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