In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, March 28, 2025, a senseless tragedy unfolded along Interstate 91 in West Springfield, Massachusetts, leaving three families shattered and a community in mourning. Igor Costa, 26, of Marlborough, Ryan Almeida, 48, of Brockton, and Raul Bohorquez, 57, also of Brockton, were diligent workers tasked with repairing damaged guardrails along the highway. Their lives were abruptly cut short when a 2021 Jeep Cherokee veered off the roadway at high speed, striking all three men before rolling over in a violent crash. The impact was catastrophic, claiming the lives of these men who were simply doing their jobs to ensure the safety of others on the road.
The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m., according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni, who has been closely involved in overseeing the response to this devastating event. Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, only to find the wreckage of the vehicle and the bodies of the three workers. What added to the horror was the discovery that the driver responsible for the crash had abandoned the Jeep and fled on foot, leaving behind a trail of destruction and loss. For the families of Costa, Almeida, and Bohorquez, the pain of losing their loved ones was compounded by the knowledge that the person responsible showed no immediate remorse or accountability.
Law enforcement wasted no time in launching a comprehensive search for the suspect. Massachusetts State Police and West Springfield Police joined forces, deploying officers, K9 units, and even aerial support from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. The effort was intense and unrelenting, spanning the dark hours of the early morning as authorities combed the area for the individual who had caused such harm. Their persistence paid off when a sergeant from the Massachusetts State Police Unit, assigned to the district attorney’s office, spotted the suspect. What followed was a tense confrontation: after a brief verbal exchange, the man attempted to escape once more, leading officers on a half-mile chase through the streets of West Springfield. The pursuit ended near Morgan Road, where authorities finally apprehended the suspect and took him into custody.
The driver has since been identified as Bilal Griffith, a resident of West Springfield. Now in custody, Griffith faces a litany of serious charges that reflect the gravity of his alleged actions. Among them are three counts of manslaughter, a stark acknowledgment of the lives lost due to his reckless behavior, as well as a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury and death. These charges mark the beginning of a legal process that will seek justice for the victims and accountability for the accused, though no courtroom outcome can undo the profound loss felt by those who knew and loved the three men.
Igor Costa, Ryan Almeida, and Raul Bohorquez were more than just names in a news report—they were sons, fathers, brothers, and friends. Costa, at just 26, was in the prime of his youth, with a future full of promise ahead of him. Almeida, 48, brought years of experience and dedication to his work, while Bohorquez, 57, had spent decades contributing to his community and supporting his family. Together, they represented a cross-section of working-class Massachusetts, individuals who took pride in maintaining the infrastructure that keeps the state moving. Their deaths have left a void that reverberates far beyond the highway where they were taken.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, commonly known as MassDOT, issued a statement in the wake of the tragedy, expressing deep sorrow for the loss of life. The agency clarified that the workers were not MassDOT employees but were instead part of an accident recovery contractor team operating under a permit. This distinction does little to lessen the impact of the incident, which occurred outside the scope of a MassDOT worksite. Still, the statement underscores the broader risks faced by those who work along the state’s highways, often in the dead of night, to keep roads safe for the public.
As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities are piecing together the events that led to this fatal collision. Questions linger about what caused Griffith to lose control of his vehicle—whether speed, impairment, or distraction played a role—and why he chose to flee rather than face the consequences of his actions. Answers may emerge in the days and weeks ahead as evidence is analyzed and witness accounts are gathered. For now, the focus remains on the victims and the families left to grieve their untimely deaths.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in roadside work, a profession that often goes unnoticed until something goes horribly wrong. It also highlights the fragility of life and the ripple effects of a single moment of recklessness. For Igor Costa, Ryan Almeida, and Raul Bohorquez, that moment came without warning, ending their lives and forever altering the course of countless others. As the legal process unfolds and the community mourns, their memory endures as a call for greater awareness, responsibility, and compassion on the roads we all share.