NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass.

Fiery truck crash injures two, chokes traffic for most of day

A fiery early morning truck crash that closed down a section of Interstate 295 in North Attleborough near the Rhode Island border was still causing traffic problems Thursday afternoon.

State police say the tractor-trailer carrying produce rolled over and burst into flames in the northbound lanes just after 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The driver, 64-year-old Gusdavo Perez Espinoza of Sylmar, Calif., and his passenger, 37-year-old Ruben Hernandez of Carson, Calif., received treatment for minor injuries.

The highway was closed to traffic for several hours and drivers were urged to find alternate routes. Just one of the three northbound lanes was opened at 3 p.m. as crews continued with repairs. The other two lanes were expected to reopen at about 6 p.m.

PALMER, Mass.

Youth shot by police pleads innocent from hospital bed

A 17-year-old Palmer youth shot twice by police responding to a domestic disturbance call has been arraigned in his hospital bed.

Prosecutors say Shawn Fontaine pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and a single count of carrying a dangerous weapon. He is recovering from gunshot wounds to the chest and ankle. He is expected to spend several more days in the hospital.

He was held on $20,000 cash bail.

Authorities say an armed Fontaine was shot late Monday night after banging on the door of the home of a woman he knew and demanding to be let in.

He was shot after allegedly threatening police and ignoring several commands to drop his weapon, which turned out to be a BB gun.

ATTLEBORO, Mass.

Rhode Island boy, 4, drowns after falling into host’s pool

A third 4-year-old child has drowned this week after falling into a Massachusetts swimming pool.

Police say 4-year-old Matthew Torres of Central Falls, R.I., was unresponsive when pulled from an in-ground pool at a home he was visiting in Attleboro about 5 p.m. Wednesday. He was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The death is under investigation, but police say it appears to be an accident.

A 4-year-old Lynnfield girl died after falling in a pool at a home she was visiting Monday for a July Fourth party. A 4-year-old Groton boy also died Monday after falling into a pool at his home. Those two drownings are also considered accidents.

SALEM, N.H.

Senior citizen killed trying to help coworker is identified

Police in New Hampshire have identified the 75-year-old man who died after being run over by a co-worker while working on her car.

Salem Police say Nicholas Camuso of Seabrook died on route to the hospital Wednesday.

Police say Camuso and the woman were on a break from their jobs at a social services agency just after noon when the man offered to take a look at her Ford Expedition.

Police say the 51-year-old woman got into her vehicle, while the man went underneath.

Without realizing Camuso was underneath, the woman moved the SUV and drove over the man, dragging him 30 to 40 feet.

LACONIA, N.H.

Mother was making meth in home with children, police say

A Laconia mother has been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine in the same apartment she was raising her children.

Police say 27-year-old Alyssa Phillips was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of narcotic drugs and endangering the welfare of a child. She was freed on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Laconia District Court on Aug. 11.

Capt. Bill Clary said Phillips was making methamphetamine in a soda bottle in her apartment.

State child welfare officials later took custody of the children.

– From news service reports