DRACUT, Mass. — A peaceful evening turned into a scene of tragedy on May 5, 2026, after a devastating crash on Merrimack Avenue claimed the life of 48-year-old Damian Torres of Tyngsborough. The sudden loss has left family, friends, and the wider community grieving a life taken far too soon.
Emergency crews from local police and fire departments rushed to the scene shortly after 8:35 p.m. following reports of a serious rollover crash near Merrimack Avenue. When first responders arrived, they encountered a violent two-vehicle collision involving a Jeep Wrangler and a Subaru Forester, with clear signs that someone had been ejected during the impact.
Damian Torres was found lying unconscious on the roadway near the overturned Jeep. In a desperate effort to save him, an off-duty EMT who happened to be passing by quickly stepped in and began CPR. First responders continued those lifesaving measures before rushing him to a nearby hospital.
Despite the combined efforts of everyone on the scene, Torres was later pronounced dead. The heartbreaking outcome has left many shaken, especially those who witnessed the urgency and hope that filled those critical moments after the crash.
Authorities said the occupants of the second vehicle, a woman and a teenager, suffered only minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Officials also carried out a thorough search of the surrounding area, using K9 units to ensure no other individuals were involved in the crash.
As investigators work to determine what led to the collision, those who knew Damian Torres are remembering him for the life he lived, not just the way it ended. He is being honored as a son, a friend, and a valued member of his community—someone whose presence mattered and whose absence will be deeply felt.