ROCKLAND, Mass. — The company at the center of multiple lawsuits and death investigations has undergone a name change.
Boston 25 News has learned Rockland-based Hi-Way Safety Systems changed its name to K5 Corporation.
The move comes after the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) reinstated the company’s prequalification status back in May, allowing them to once again obtain state contracts.
MassDOT had previously barred the company from bidding on state projects following a drug-fueled company party that led to an employee allegedly driving drunk and killing a teenage girl.
“K5 Corporation is a family owned and operated business, which allows us to provide a level of service that larger corporations cannot match,” the company’s new website reads. “Friendly and responsive, each staff member is deeply experienced in their area of road safety.”
A MassDOT spokesperson told Boston 25 News the company made several changes – including to its ownership – that resulted in their prequalification certification being reinstated.
“The company agreed to a monitorship (sic) arrangement by an outside legal firm, removed Ken Horn as one of the firm’s owners, changed its board membership, established new corporate bylaws and related documents, and adopted a code of ethics,” said MassDOT spokesperson Jacquelyn Goddard.
“Based on this decision, Hi-Way Safety Systems is allowed to bid on projects with MassDOT as well as city and town projects which require prequalification.”
The company’s new website does not list its ownership or top ranking employees. The former website, Hiwayss.com, is no longer active.
Investigations into the company’s December 2019 Christmas party are still open. Investigators are focusing on several aspects of the party, including how much now-former owner Ken Horn knew about what was going on at his house.
Claire Zisserson, 13, was killed in a car crash in Pembroke the morning after HSS’ annual Christmas party. Another 13-year-old girl and a 50-year-old woman were critically injured. Now-former HSS employee Gregory Goodsell is facing manslaughter and OUI charges in relation to that crash. Goodsell allegedly told investigators he was coming from the party at owner Ken Horn’s house.
Goodsell was arraigned via video conference on Friday after being indicted in Brockton Superior Court. he was held without bail. Goodsell pleaded not guilty to second degree murder, motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, motor vehicle manslaughter while operating under the influence, leaving the scene of property damage and two counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury.
Another employee was found unresponsive at a hotel in Rockland, reportedly after getting into a fight at an after-party at his bosses’ house. He later died. A third employee was arrested for disorderly conduct at the same hotel, and a fourth employee was charged with driving drunk.
Related stories:
Investigators: What did owners know about drug-fueled party and when?
DA: Man charged with OUI in fatal crash had 35 previous driving infractions
Timeline of a holiday tragedy in Pembroke
DA investigating death of man found unresponsive at Rockland motel
13-year-old Pembroke crash victim identified, driver charged with manslaughter OUI
Cox Media Group
