NEW SALEM — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has identified the 75-year-old Leicester man killed by a falling tree while driving on Route 122 on Wednesday.

William Mattei was the sole occupant of a pickup truck traveling west on Petersham Road near its intersection with Sweezy Lane shortly before noon when the vehicle was struck by a tree that became uprooted, according to spokesperson Laurie Loisel, who said Mattei died at the scene.

The impact scattered tree debris across both sides of Petersham Road, also known as Route 122. The roadway remained closed until about 2:30 p.m. while emergency workers and police investigators worked the scene and debris was removed.

Police were called to the scene after the operator of a van that struck the debris in the roadway called 911. The van driver was uninjured, though the van sustained damage. The van driver, who saw the tree hit the truck, said Mattei had no way to avoid the tree.

Investigators do not know why the tree became uprooted. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, according to Loisel.

State Police working out of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, state troopers from the Crime Scene Services and Collision and Reconstruction sections, and the Belchertown and Athol barracks responded to the scene. Also at the scene were police and fire personnel from Petersham, New Salem and Orange.

It appears the victim was co-owner of Mattei Realty.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120. Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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