A rush-hour crash Wednesday afternoon sent a Boston firefighter who resides in Randolph to a Boston hospital with a severe leg injury, police said.
Police responded at 5:27 p.m. to a report of a crash in front of Bettencourt’s Honda & Suzuki Dealership at 31 South Main St. after a Honda Pilot SUV operated by a West Bridgewater woman collided with a Honda motorcycle operated by Keith Wyzard.
Wyzard, 44, of Delorey Drive in Randolph, was taken by ambulance to West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School and from there taken by MedFlight helicopter to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, police said.
Wyzard has been a Boston firefighter for 19 years and is stationed with Ladder 23 in Dorchester, a Boston Fire Department spokesman said.
Police said Wyzard was coming out of Bettencourt’s and taking a left turn to head north on South Main Street (Route 28).
Kimberly Paananen, 42, of South Street, who was operating the Honda Pilot, was leaving a shopping plaza across the street and taking a left turn to head south when the vehicles collided, police said.
Officer Michael Kominsky is investigating the accident. Sgt. Christopher Werner, officer Thomas Richmond and the West Bridgewater Fire Department also responded.
Police closed the southbound lane of Route 28 for about an hour Wednesday afternoon.
Motorists could see Wyzard’s overturned motorcycle, helmet, boots and jacket at the accident scene. The SUV sustained some front-end damage and was missing a headlight.
Wyzard did not lose consciousness, police said.
Witnesses said the collision sent Wyzard into the air and he was alert and calm after the crash.
“It was very frightening. He seemed to elevate. He was in the other lane and he landed in front of me,” said Rosemary Souza, 45, of West Bridgewater.
Souza said her husband, who used to ride a motorcycle, told her, “It’s not your driving. It’s every one else you have to be careful for.”
A Bettencourt’s employee who witnessed the crash said many people use a lane behind the shopping center parking lot as a cut-through between East Center Street and South Main Street.
The employee, who rushed out to help Wyzard, said Wyzard’s leg was bent forward at an odd angle.
“He took it like a trooper. He was brave. He had no aggression to the lady. He just said, ‘My season’s over,’” said the employee, who would not give his name.
