Employee hit and killed by car outside North Reading Stop & Shop

NORTH READING, Mass. — A Stop & Shop employee who lives across the street from where she works was hit and killed while walking to work early Thursday morning.

The Stop & Shop was getting ready to open at 6:30 a.m. for customers who are older than 60.

In a statement, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan identified the victim as Marianne Quam, 70, of North Reading.

A witness told Boston 25 that she ran out to help and discovered she knew the victim.

“I heard a sound and I assumed it was a car accident because this intersection is horrible," said Coreen Kelley.

She left flowers at the scene where North Reading Police say an SUV hit the woman who was crossing Main Street by Stop & Shop.

“When I looked out the window, there were only two people here at the time. I saw her but didn’t realize who it was until I came over,” Kelley said.

North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy said the incident happened just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning. He said the woman was hit by an SUV and later died.

Fire officials later told Boston 25 News the woman was rushed to Lahey Hospital after bystanders began rendering first aid.

Stop & Shop sent Boston 25 News the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our dedicated associates passed away in a tragic incident as she was walking to work at our store in North Reading this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our associate’s family and to the store team. Our employee assistance team is at the store to help counsel and support our associates, and we are cooperating with local law enforcement in their investigation.”

We’re told the woman lives in a nearby building and she always uses the crosswalk when she crosses the busy street to get to work at Stop & Shop.

Kelley called the victim selfless.

“Sweetest person you would ever meet in your life. She’s always there to help everybody else," Kelley said.

Kelley said her neighbor was heading to Stop & Shop to work the special hours the store was hosting for customers older than 60 to help limit their exposure to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns. The store was opening at 6:30 a.m.

“Heartbroken,” Kelley said.

Crash investigators in North Reading say the SUV driver did remain on scene. They are still trying to figure out exactly what happened.

Route 28 was closed for an investigation and crash response. The incident is still under investigation.

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