Three Massachusetts high school seniors lost their lives when their SUV slammed into a tractor-trailer at 110 mph on a dark Florida highway, leaving a fourth teen critically injured and two communities in mourning.
At a Glance
- Carlisle teen James “Jimmy” P. McIntosh was driving at 110 mph — 45 mph over the speed limit — when his SUV crashed into a tractor-trailer making a U-turn
- The crash killed McIntosh, Hannah Wasserman, and Maisey O’Donnell, with a fourth passenger critically injured
- The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash as a criminal matter, though results from forensic testing are still pending
- A witness reported seeing the SUV speeding dangerously just before the crash occurred on US 98 around 9:25 p.m. on April 21
- The tragedy has devastated the Concord-Carlisle High School community, where the teens were seniors with promising futures ahead
The Fatal Crash
James “Jimmy” P. McIntosh was behind the wheel of an SUV traveling at approximately 110 mph when it collided with a tractor-trailer attempting a U-turn on US 98 in Florida. The crash occurred around 9:25 p.m. on April 21 on a highway where the posted speed limit is 65 mph. McIntosh and passengers Hannah Wasserman and Maisey O’Donnell were killed in the impact, while a fourth teen was critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital.
Dr. Gary Howerton, who witnessed the speeding SUV moments before the crash, told investigators: “The car just blew by me like I was standing still. My first impression was, ‘Oh no. Something bad is going to happen’ because of the way he was driving.”
The Florida Highway Patrol report indicates the collision happened when the tractor-trailer, driven by Kadyn DeWayne Ainsworth, failed to yield the right of way while attempting a U-turn. Despite this traffic violation, Ainsworth has not been charged. The truck driver escaped the crash without injuries, while the impact caused catastrophic damage to the SUV carrying the teenagers.
Investigation Details
Florida Highway Patrol is treating the crash as a criminal matter, though the investigation remains ongoing. Forensic testing results are still pending. Weather conditions at the time were clear and dry, ruling out environmental factors as potential causes. Investigators noted that while McIntosh and two others were wearing seatbelts, Wasserman was not restrained at the time of impact, potentially contributing to the severity of her injuries.
“We understand the public’s desire for a fast resolution to these criminal investigations; however, it is more important that we conduct the best investigation possible for the people that are involved,” said Lt. Jim Beauford.
The SUV was registered to Nicholas Altreche, who has declined to comment on his connection to the teens or the vehicle. Authorities have not tested McIntosh for drugs or alcohol, though the extreme speed suggests impaired judgment at minimum. The tractor-trailer involved belongs to Florida Community Services Corporation of Walton County, a company with no reported crashes in the previous two years.
Lives Cut Short
The teens had traveled to Florida for a break from school when their vacation turned tragic. The Concord-Carlisle High School community has been devastated by the loss of three promising seniors months before their graduation. O’Donnell was a state diving champion who had secured a place at Williams College, while Wasserman was known as a talented competitive dancer and instructor who planned to attend Syracuse University in the fall.
“This car was just going so fast. It shouldn’t have happened,” Dr. Howerton said after witnessing the moments leading to the tragedy.
The crash highlights the dangers of excessive speed, particularly among teenage drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is one of the most common factors in crashes involving teen drivers. This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be changed forever when basic traffic safety rules are disregarded, leaving families and communities to mourn preventable losses.
