The Milton Public School system confirmed Friday that a woman killed by a flying manhole cover on Interstate 93 is an elementary school art teacher in Milton.
Caitlin Clavette was killed Friday morning when a manhole cover became dislodged and flew through the windshield of her car.
The accident happened in the Tip O’Neill Tunnel.
Sources say the manhole exited the car through its rear window and landed on the highway.
The car continued traveling a quarter of a mile before crashing into a concrete wall.
Milton Public Schools said Ms. Clavette was a graduate of Winchester High School, and received her Bachelor’s degree in Art from the College of William and Mary and her Masters from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
In a statement, the Milton schools superintendent said,
"Ms. Clavette was a talented and special educator who has touched the lives of many students and families over the past four years in the Milton Public Schools."
Friends described Clavette as an energetic woman who loved to be athletic.
"She was a riot and a laugh and a great person," said Clavette’s friend, Sherman Roberts.
MassDOT is investigating what caused the manhole cover to come loose.
“Our sympathy goes out to the family of the victim involved in this horrific incident this morning. This tragedy is leading us to take several steps immediately out of an abundance of caution."
-MassDOT statement
Transportation officials say the cover was last inspected in June 2014 and had not been removed from its location since then.
Friday afternoon MassDOT crews, including welders will examine all highway infrastructure in Boston to make sure the hardware is secured.
MassDOT says manhole covers like the one in Friday’s accident weigh in excess of 200 pounds.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage of the area to see whether they captured the incident, according to State Police.
They also plan to examine the manhole cover for excessive wear, deformation or anything else that could have made it go airborne.
Investigators also plan to examine damage on the car to learn where the manhole struck the car and the distance it traveled before impact, State Police said.
State Police are also interviewing witnesses and drivers who called 911.
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