ABINGTON, Mass. — A 17-year-old Weymouth resident was killed Wednesday morning after a stolen SUV he was driving crashed into a tree while Abington police were attempting to stop the vehicle, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities identified the driver as Sebastian Hamilton. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 7:47 a.m. near 877 Washington St.
Investigators said Abington police officers spotted a Hyundai Tucson that had previously been reported stolen and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. During the encounter, the SUV left the roadway and struck a tree.
Five people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Officials said a 14-year-old female passenger was ejected from the SUV and sustained serious injuries. Three additional passengers—one male and two females—also suffered life-threatening injuries. All four were initially transported to area hospitals before being transferred to hospitals in Boston for further treatment.
Hamilton became trapped inside the SUV following the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, surveillance video captured the SUV traveling through a red light with police vehicles behind it shortly before the crash. Witnesses also reported that the vehicle appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed before striking a tree.
The Abington police officer involved in the attempted traffic stop has been placed on paid administrative leave, which officials said is standard procedure following incidents of this nature.
The identities and conditions of the injured passengers have not been released. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation by the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies.
