Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Lawrence Man Charged Following Fatal Crash

According to WCVB, another person in the car escaped the wreckage to call for help.

Updated Monday at 5 a.m.: According to Massachusetts State Police, the driver from Sunday's crash has been placed into police custody.

Dennes Almonte, 23, of Lawrence, will be charged with serious bodily injury by motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating substance, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding.

Almonte is being held on $250,000 bail while at Lahey Clinic, pending arraignment on charges that will be filed at Woburn District Court, police said.

In addition, police also confirmed that Hansel Paulino, 22, was the victim who was killed in the crash while Jonathan Cruz, 24, was hospitalized. 

Updated Sunday at 9:04 a.m.: 
State Police confirmed through a press release that they are investigating a fatal crash that took place Sunday at 5 a.m. involving three Lawrence residents.

According to police, initial investigation revealed that near Exit 41 an Acura driven by a 23-year-old male left the roadway, struck the guardrail on the median side, rolled over and landed on its roof. 

The force of the crash was so strong that police located the engine of the vehicle about 100 feet away.

The driver left on foot and was found on Ballardvale Street after pulling an emergency call box. But according to police, officers were already using a K-9 unit to track him at that time. He was transported to Lahey Clinic but is expected to survive.

A 24-year-old male passenger was ejected during the rollover and located about 20 feet from the car, police said. He suffered serious injuries but is also expected to survive after he was transported to Lahey Clinic by Wilmington EMS.

The third person in the car, a 22-year-old man also from Lawrence, was ejected from the car. First responders found him unconscious and unresponsive upon their arrival. He was transported to Lahey Clinic, but did not survive his injuries, according to police.

State Police said they will release names later, pending next-of-kin notification.

Original story Sunday at 8:45 a.m.: Massachusetts State Police are investigating a single-car crash that killed one person and injured two others in Wilmington overnight.

WCVB reported that the crash occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 93 North near the exit for Route 62.

According to the news station, one person was able to escape the wreckage of the rollover crash, walk to an emergency call box and dial for assistance.

Check back with Wilmington Patch for more on this breaking news as it develops.


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