On the evening of Saturday, October 18, a peaceful residential roadway in Lakeville turned into a scene of tragedy. Around 7 p.m., 65-year-old Timothy Crowley was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Freetown Street near Heather Hills Lane that would cost him his life. When first responders from the Lakeville Fire Department arrived, they found Crowley’s vehicle engulfed in flames. Fortunately, bystanders had already managed to extract him from the burning car — a swift act of courage that likely prevented even greater loss of life.
Despite the urgent efforts of emergency personnel and his subsequent transport to Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, Crowley succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The second vehicle involved and its occupants have not been publicly identified, nor have officials yet released detailed information about the injury status of the three other individuals who were taken to hospital. Their current condition remains undisclosed.
In the aftermath of the crash, traffic along Freetown Street was diverted for hours as investigators from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lakeville police worked to document skid marks, roadway conditions, and witness statements. The collaboration aims to determine the precise cause of the collision: whether weather, speed, driver error, or mechanical failure played a role.
The Lakeville Fire Department issued a statement praising those who intervened before firefighters arrived: “Their courageous, immediate action likely saved lives,” the department said, while also noting that crews extinguished the blaze and secured the scene to prevent further harm. The quick rescue of Mr. Crowley is being cited as a key factor preventing even worse outcomes.
News of Timothy Crowley’s passing has reverberated through the Lakeville community. Friends and neighbors remember him as a warm, respectful, and dependable presence in the town — a man who quietly contributed to community life and was well-regarded by many. Social media posts and community message boards are filled with condolences, stories, and a shared sense of loss.
As autumn advances, local officials are urging drivers to remain particularly cautious. With changing daylight hours, potential slick patches from falling leaves or rain, and reduced visibility, roadway risks climb this time of year. “Please slow down, pay attention, and watch for hazards,” Lakeville law-enforcement officials reminded the public.
The investigation into the crash remains open, and updates will be provided once further findings are available. In the meantime, the town mourns a neighbor taken too soon — and holds onto gratitude for those who intervened in a dire mo
ment to help.
