By Nancye Tuttle
The Lowell Sun

ACTON, MA -- Off-duty firefighter Leo Hayes was killed and another firefighter was injured in an automobile accident in Westminster as they returned home from a charity event Thursday afternoon.


Firefighter James Routenberg, 24, of Westford, was driving a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee along Route 140 with Hayes, 36, of Maynard, as a passenger when the SUV went off the road and hit a tree about 5:25 p.m.

Hayes died at the accident scene. A medical helicopter took Routenberg to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where he was treated and released.

The firefighters were returning from Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, where they had taken part in a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The accident happened about a half-mile north of the entrance to the ski area, at a point where the road narrows and bends sharply, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.'s office.

Hayes was married and had two young children. He worked for the Fire Department for 7 1/2 years.

The Acton fire and police departments referred comment to the town manager's office.

Fire Chief Robert Craig "was pretty devastated by the whole situation," said Town Manager Steve Ledoux, who described Hayes as an exemplary town employee.

Ledoux said Craig spoke to Routenberg after the accident, but did not know the nature of the conversation.

"The town is devastated by the loss of firefighter Hayes," Ledoux said. "The Board of Selectmen and I express our deepest condolences to his family."

A guardrail was crushed and a bouquet of flowers hung on the tree yesterday morning.

Westminster Fire Capt. Kevin Nivala said the Cherokee hit the tree on the passenger's side, but did not roll over.

Fellow firefighters rushed to help, creating a chaotic scene, Nivala said.

"When I got there, (Routenberg) had been removed by bystanders, but they were reporting that (Hayes was) in the car, critically injured," he said.

The road was closed for the rescue and investigation until 11 p.m.

David Crowley, chief operating officer for Wachusett Mountain Associates, said the ski area hosted a fundraising benefit Thursday sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"It's the 13th year we've done it, it's a well-known event, and there are many, many firefighters who attend it," Crowley said.

Nivala acknowledged extra emotion from responding to the accident of a fellow firefighter.

"It's a brotherhood," he said. "You want to do all you can to save somebody's life no matter what, but only firefighters can understand other firefighters."

The Westminster Police Department referred comment to Early's office.

No charges have been filed but the accident is still under investigation by police and Early's office, said Tim Connolly, a spokesman for Early.

He could not say if alcohol or solar glare were factors in the accident, but he added that there was no alcohol available at the benefit.

It was not immediately clear if Hayes and Routenberg were wearing seatbelts.

"It's obvious the car went of the road; we don't know why," Connolly said. "At this point this accident will get a thorough going-over by our investigators."

A trust fund has been set up under the name Leo J. Hayes Support Trust at the Middlesex Savings Bank, P.O. Box 309, Maynard, MA 01754.

Staff writer Jack Minch contributed to this story.

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