AMHERST, MA : Amherst intersection sees two crashes on Thursday, 30th January, 2020

Two serious crashes that heavily damaged vehicles, but caused no personal injuries, occurred at the same downtown intersection within three hours of each other Thursday evening, according to police.

Police officers and firefighters responded to the corner of Amity Street and Lincoln Avenue at around 5 p.m. after a jeep traveling south on Lincoln failed to stop at the stop sign, colliding with a small SUV traveling east on Amity, said Detective Marcus Humber. The latter vehicle burst into flames and was destroyed, but its driver made it out safely, Humber said. Both vehicles were towed.

The intersection was closed for a short time as firefighters extinguished the fire and cleaned up the crash scene with assistance from a towing company.

Amhrest Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson said the vehicle fire started in the engine compartment and was the direct result of the crash. He said such fires are rare.

About three hours later, a second, two-car crash took place at the same location. While initially reported as possibly involving personal injuries, all occupants were OK. Nelson said the vehicles were heavily damaged, indicating the safety devices worked as they should and the vehicles absorbed the energy from the crash.

Police set up a patrol near the intersection because of the two crashes. By 8:47 p.m., police had issued three tickets and two warnings to vehicles for various traffic offenses.

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