Elementary school teacher killed after tire crashes through windshield on Route 2 in Fitchburg

FITCHBURG, Mass. — A 42-year-old woman was killed and a 40-year-old man was seriously injured when a tire crashed through the windshield of their SUV along Route 2 in Fitchburg Wednesday.

Massachusetts State Police identified the woman as Erin MacKay of Templeton.

The Hudson Schools Superintendent said MacKay has been with the school system for 12 years.

“Ms. MacKay was an amazing educator, known by families and colleagues as a kind and caring individual who cared deeply for her students. Her unexpected passing is a tragic loss for her family and for the Hudson School Community,” Superintendent Marco Rodrigues said.

A memorial sits outside of Forest Avenue Elementary School Thursday, where MacKay taught first grade.

State police are looking to the public’s help in finding the other driver involved in the crash.

Investigators are trying to determine what vehicle the tire and rim came from and whether it came off the axle or was being transported and became unsecured. Police say the vehicle may have taken I-190 south from the area.

Police are asking anyone with dashcam video or information to call them at 508-829-8326.

The tire and wheel crashed through the SUV's windshield Wednesday afternoon on Route 2 westbound, MSP said.

Police sources told Boston 25 the woman, a mother, was coming back from grocery shopping.

“A truck pulling a trailer, in the eastbound lane had a tire come off it,” said Fitchburg Fire Chief Anthony Marrama.

The tire flew across the median, and onto the other side of the highway, smashing into her jeep.

“She was unconscious at that point,” said Marrama.

State police say they’ve identified another vehicle that was in that area but as of Wednesday night had not determined whether that vehicle or another still unidentified vehicle was the source of the tire and rim.

“Whether it came off of the trailer itself that was being towed, or it was on the trailer, and it was a loose piece of debris that fell off, the tire was being transported and fell off? We are not sure. You certainly aren’t expecting some type of debris or tire coming off of a tractor-trailer from the opposite side of the direction," said Marrama.

The fire chief said there is no way the woman could’ve avoided this.

The man was flown to a hospital and the woman riding in the car was sent by ambulance to Leominster Hospital, and later flown to UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where she died.

Details on the man’s injuries or his condition Wednesday night were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, the community is grieving the loss of MacKay, a popular teacher.

MacKay was also a mother of two young daughters. Parents of MacKay’s students who spoke to Boston 25 said they are bringing supplies for the family and are working to raise monetary donations for them as they continue to find ways to honor the first grade teacher.

Tributes pour in for elementary teacher killed in Fitchburg crash A 42-year-old woman was killed and a 40-year-old man was seriously injured when a tire crashed through the windshield of their SUV along Route 2 in Fitchburg Wednesday.

“She had a sense of humor as well as having that kind loving touch with everybody,” Maria Ricciuti, a teacher with Hudson schools, said. “It’s just, it’s almost unfathomable for everybody to just know that she just had so much more to give and it was just taken away just because of timing."

MacKay taught both of Julia Wilkinson’s children.

”She was an awesome teacher. My older son has ADHD and was really struggling especially trying to figure out with what he needed in school and she was just one of the first teachers who just had patience and grace with him,” Wilkinson said.

Ricciuti also said MacKay worked hard to help students and staff.

“She just, she never complained about anything and she just always gave more than what was asked to help her kids, to help all of the students, to help all of the teachers. She was just the most supportive person that you could imagine,” Ricciuti said.

Anyone who may have seen the crash or has any information that may be helpful is asked to call State Police at 508-829-8326.

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