3 men struck, killed while repairing highway guardrails identified

Three workers were struck and killed early Friday morning while repairing damaged guardrails along a highway in Massachusetts, and the driver now faces manslaughter charges. Two of the men who died in the West Springfield incident were from Brockton and one was from Marlborough, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.The men were working along Interstate 91 in West Springfield at approximately 12:45 a.m. when a 2021 Jeep Cherokee took Exit 10A at a high rate of speed and hit them before rolling over, Gulluni said. When first responders arrived, they found that the driver of the Jeep had exited the vehicle and ran from the area."In the ensuing hours, Massachusetts State Police troopers and West Springfield Police Department canvased the area with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, K9s and dozens of law enforcement officers," Gulluni said. "The suspect was observed by a Sergeant of the Massachusetts State Police Unit assigned to my office. After a brief conversation with the subject, a chase ensued that continued for over a half mile. The suspect was finally surrounded and taken into custody in the area of Morgan Road in West Springfield."The driver, identified by Gulluni as Bilal Griffith, of West Springfield, faces charges including three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of personal injury and death. Gulluni identified the victims as Igor Costa, 26, of Marlborough; Ryan Almieda, 48, of Brockton; and Raul Bohorquez, 57, of Brockton.In a statement, MassDOT said the men were working for a contractor. "We are deeply saddened by the fatal crash on I-91 involving an accident recovery contractor working under a permit," the statement said. "The crash was not at a MassDOT worksite and did not involve any MassDOT staff. The incident is under investigation by the State Police, who should be contacted for further details."