A Massachusetts Department of Transportation worker was killed Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle on Route 24 in Bridgewater.
Massachusetts State Police say the MassDOT worker was picking up debris outside his vehicle near exit 28B on Route 24 northbound around 9:30 p.m. when he was fatally struck.
Police have since identified the victim as 57-year-old David Sousa, of Stoughton.
"We again offer our condolences to Mr. Sousa, his family, loved ones, and colleagues at MassDOT," state police said in a statement.
State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver also offered his deepest sympathies to the Sousa family and all who knew him.
Sousa worked in the transportation department's highway division and was dedicated to service, working for several districts offices as a foreman, according to Gulliver. He was also a former Select Board chair in Stoughton.
"He will be missed dearly,” Gulliver said.
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The vehicle involved in the collision remained on the scene Saturday night, according to police. The driver's name has not been released, and it's unclear if any charges will be filed.
All northbound lanes were closed roughly three hours, from about 10:30 p.m. until 1:20 a.m. when the on-scene investigation concluded.
Friends of Sousa's told NBC10 Boston on Sunday that he had a larger-than-life personality and he was never afraid to speak all. Above all, they say Sousa was known for serving Stoughton all his life.
His death has left people shocked, with one of his friends saying he just saw him last week and can't believe this tragedy has happened.
“You Just don’t expect somebody that young, you know, to just, you know he’s gone, it’s just, I don’t know, it's kind of an empty feeling," said Stoughton Fire Capt. George O'Neil.
“Somebody that young and somebody that was that involved in our town is just not here anymore,” O'Neil added. "He’ll be missed.”
Sousa, or Spanky as he was known, played Santa during the holidays and donated his time at events throughout his community.
"Him and his wife dressed up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, sitting there and visiting young sick kids on Christmas Eve," Stoughton Fire Capt. Jim Curtin said.
“From select board member to being Santa Claus at Christmas events. Just an outgoing, great guy, you know?" Stoughton Fire Lt. Tim Carroll said. "He was just, like I said, just an icon in the town."
