Two Andover Residents Killed in Collision on Rt. 125

A head-on collision took the lives of two Andover residents Friday afternoon, making them the second and third fatality this week in Andover. A woman was killed last weekend on Interstate 93.

At approximately 5 p.m. Friday afternoon State Police reported a head-on collision on Route 125 in Andover between a 2004 Saturn and a 2010 Chevrolet pickup truck.

The driver of the Saturn, 72-year-old Joann Eckels, and her passenger, 82-year-old James Eckels, were pronounced deceased following the two-car accident on Friday afternoon.

Police say that 70-year-old Boxford resident John O’Donnell was traveling northbound on Route 125 when the Saturn attempted to cross Route 125 from Wildwood Road. Police believe the pickup hit the driver's side door of the Saturn, pushing it to the side of the roadway. O'Donnell was not injured.

Both cars eventually came to rest on the northbound side of the roadway. James Eckels was transported to Lawrence General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Joann Eckels was flown to Beth Isreal and was later pronounced dead.

Police closed down the northbound lane of Route 125 and diverted traffic onto local roads. Both side were reopened by 7:45 p.m. Friday.

State Police are continuing to investigate the accident in conjunction with the State Police Collision Accident Reconstruction Section.