Fatal Train Strike Victim In Wilmington Identified

Below is a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office:

WILMINGTON, MA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Superintendent of Transit Police Richard Sullivan and Wilmington Chief of Police Joseph Desmond have confirmed the identity of the victim from last night’s fatal train crash as Roberta Sausville, 68 of Wilmington.

Preliminary investigation suggests that at approximately 5:51 p.m., Roberta Sausville was driving alone eastbound on Middlesex Avenue in Wilmington when an Inbound Haverhill Line train struck the driver’s side of the vehicle near the North Wilmington MBTA Station. Roberta Sausville was pronounced dead on the scene. The Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) was contacted and accepted jurisdiction.

This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, Wilmington Police and MBTA Transit Police.

Statement From The Board Of Selectmen

“The Board of Selectmen offer their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Wilmington resident who lost her life when the vehicle she was traveling in was struck by an MBTA commuter train just before 6:00 pm last evening. The Board will be demanding answers from the MBTA as to why safety features at the north Wilmington crossing reportedly did not activate and assurances from the MBTA that procedures are in place to maintain operability of the crossing arms and lights at their rail crossing.”