'My angel': Middleboro teen dies after crash, organ donation saves others
GoFundMe to help funeral costs; community calls for traffic light at intersection
Published May 20, 2023
MIDDLEBORO — On Mother’s Day, 15-year-old Dylan Levesque was struck by a car while crossing the street at the corner of Route 28 and the shopping entrance to the Hannaford Supermarket plaza.
He fought for two days on life support at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
By Tuesday morning, his mother, Chelsea Levesque, declared in an open letter online that Dylan, “my angel was determined to be brain dead and declared clinically deceased” after suffering and fighting a life-threatening brain injury. She said Dylan was "the absolute light" of her life.
Middleboro police said in a written statement they received the Sunday call at around 7:23 p.m. Dylan was airlifted immediately after initial treatment.
Police said the incident wasn’t a hit-and-run. The driver stopped at the scene and cooperated with police.
An outpouring of grief and support
In the days after the crash, before the announcement of Dylan’s passing, and since, there’s been an outpouring of love and support for the Levesque family in the Middleboro community.
A vigil was hosted at First Baptist Church in North Middleboro on Tuesday night for Dylan.
A GoFundMe was started by Jaclyn Norek, a co-worker of Chelsea’s. The original intention of the GoFundMe was to assist with either medical bills or other costs while the mother was on leave from work and by Dylan’s bedside. With the passing of Dylan, the purpose has changed to funeral costs.
As of Friday, May 19, the GoFundMe had received 350 donations totaling $27,134, out of a $50,000 goal.
'My son died a hero'
In an update on the GoFundMe, Chelsea Levesque said Dylan’s organs will be donated to help others.
“He may have been robbed of the opportunity to grow up, get married and have children…. But perhaps a life that he saves, will do just that. Get married and have children…. And a piece of him will live on in them,” she said, in the message.
Said Dylan's father, Mark James Slattery, on his Facebook page: "By now many of you know I lost my son on Mothers' Day. Although this is just one of the most tragic things that could happen I'm finding peace knowing my son died a hero. Two kids about Dylan's age were saved because my son gave what they needed to live. I know he's at peace now and can rest. He became the man I couldn't have ever imagined him becoming. I'm so proud of you! I love you Dylan. Forever 15!"
Calls for a traffic light at the intersection
Officials said there have been longstanding concerns over the lack of a traffic signal or crosswalk light at the intersection of Merchants Way and Route 28/East Grove Street where Dylan was hit.
Within the vicinity of the shopping plaza, also known as Middleboro Crossing, where Dylan was coming from, are two elementary schools, Middleboro High School and the YMCA.
“There are always kids, walking, riding bikes, families walking to and from the grocery store/shopping center. We need something so these people that aren’t in cars can be safe from cars flying by,” said Erika Rusconi, who started a Change.org petition to get a crosswalk light installed at that intersection.
At the time of this writing, 5,534 signatures have been gathered, with a goal of 7,500. One of those signers was Chelsea Levesque.
“My baby was just killed in this cross walk. And I will not stop until they put in a light. I will not let another family go through what we are going through,” said Chelsea Levesque, on the Change.org petition.
MassDOT has jurisdiction over Route 28
Town Administrator James McGrail addressed the concerns over the intersection at the May 15 Select Board meeting.
McGrail said that Route 28 is a state-owned highway and only Mass DOT has jurisdiction to install traffic lights and crosswalk signals.
Select Board member Brian Giovanoni said that intersection has been discussed numerous times over the years by different variations of the Board, since Hannaford opened up there, and he “would love to see the state do something about it.”
McGrail said he and other town officials are in communication with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and received a grant to study and identify high-traffic areas and areas of safety concerns in the town, with that information to be submitted to the state.
“Our best bet is to get as much information as possible to present to MassDOT, to get them to move on this,” said McGrail.
On McGrail’s Town Administrator social media, he posted a copy of a letter, written May 18, submitted to MassDOT, along with state Sen. Marc Pacheco, and state representatives Norman Orrall and Susan Gifford, requesting the immediate installation of a traffic signal and updated crosswalk at that intersection.
Said McGrail’s letter: “When one family heartbreakingly loses a child, we all share in that pain. Sadly, it is understood that we cannot undo what has been done, but there are steps we can take to make sure another child isn’t taken from their family, friends and community in a similar manner.”
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