A 39-year-old Brockton woman was killed early today when her car broke down in the middle lane of Route 24 in Avon and a hearse crashed into her, State Police said.

The woman, identified as Marielourdes Azard-Torchon, was driving a 2006 Jeep liberty when it broke down shortly after midnight in the middle of Route 24 southbound near Exit 19, State Police said.

Shortly after the breakdown, a hearse — which was not transporting anyone — was traveling northbound on Route 24 when the male operator, Robert Stockwell, of Middleborough, apparently attempted to avoid the stranded car, but crashed into it, police said.

His vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Caravan, swerved into the median and hit a guardrail, State Police said. The hearse then caught fire before becoming fully engulfed in flames, State Police said.


Stockwell, 25, sustained serious leg injuries and was taken to Boston Medical Center.

Police said Azard-Torchon’s car apparently was not using its flashing emergency lights, and no flares had been set up to warn drivers of her location.

Azard-Torchon was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, where she was pronounced dead.