DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WJAR) — A plane crash on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth Monday morning resulted in two fatalities and one injury, officials confirmed.

The small aircraft, which departed from New Bedford Regional Airport at 8:10 a.m. for Wisconsin, went down shortly after takeoff, striking a silver car before landing in the median and igniting. The deceased have been identified as Thomas and Agatha Perkins, a married couple from Middletown, Rhode Island.

The driver of the car was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were present at the crash site on Tuesday as they began to assess the wreckage.

Emergency response included the recovery of the plane's fuselage and debris, which were towed away Tuesday afternoon. Earlier lane restrictions on Interstate 195 were lifted, allowing traffic to resume in both directions.

Weather conditions at the time of the flight were reported to be less than ideal. Scot Servis, Manager of New Bedford Regional Airport, emphasized the limited authority of the airport to ground aircraft, stating that decisions regarding departures are ultimately made by the pilot.

Angel Flight Northeast, where Tom Perkins had volunteered since 2021, expressed condolences and highlighted his commitment to supporting patients in need of medical transport.