Tragic Accident Claims the Life of Elderly Gloucester Man

Thomas James Martin III, an 83-year-old Gloucester resident, lost his life on Wednesday morning after the SUV he was driving crashed into a wooded area off Thatcher Road in Rockport.

Rockport authorities have confirmed the identity of the driver as Thomas James Martin III, a beloved member of the Gloucester community. Martin’s wife, Marcia Martin, expressed her grief, describing him as a kind-hearted, generous family man. The couple had been residing in Gloucester for the past two decades.

The cause of the accident that claimed Martin’s life remains unknown. Rockport Police Chief John Horvath reported that Martin’s 2019 Lexus GX460 veered off the road near #8 Thatcher Road and collided with a tree. Emergency services rushed him to Addison Gilbert Hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead.

An investigation into the crash is currently underway by Rockport police and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section. Sharyn Lubas, chief of staff with the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, stated that the incident’s cause is still under investigation. The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the precise cause of death.

Scanner reports from the time of the crash indicated that Martin was trapped inside the vehicle in the vicinity of 154 South Street, adjacent to Thatcher Road. Emergency responders managed to extricate him from the car and performed CPR. The front-end of the white Lexus appeared heavily damaged, with the airbag deployed.

The crash caused a temporary halt in traffic on Thatcher Road. In response, the Rockport police advised motorists to seek alternate routes to avoid the crash site between South Street and Tregony Bow. The road closure was necessary for the crash investigation but was later reopened at around 1:30 p.m.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Rockport police, Rockport Ambulance, the Rockport Fire Department, and Beauport Ambulance. Initially, the accident victim’s name was withheld to protect privacy. However, following a Freedom of Information request, Rockport police released the information, revealing Thomas James Martin III as the deceased.