Defendant Pleaded Not Guilty After Being Charged With Motor Vehicle Homicide for Gloucester Collision
GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS (July 31, 2025) – An 81-year-old man is facing felony charges after a deadly car accident on the Route 128 bridge in Gloucester.
Essex County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:30 a.m. on Monday. The defendant was allegedly driving his Honda CRV northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic when he struck a Toyota Corolla head-on.
That Toyota Corolla had four teenagers inside, including two 19-year-old females and two 18-year-old males. Paramedics were called to the scene to help all of the victims.
Three people were transported to the hospital in critical condition. A fourth victim tragically died due to his injuries after being airlifted to a hospital in Boston.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. A full investigation into the Gloucester collision remains ongoing.
Liability for Massachusetts Car Accidents
Every driver in Massachusetts must exercise caution to avoid colliding with other vehicles in the roadway. This necessitates that they operate at a safe speed and adhere to all traffic regulations. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 89, § 1, every driver must operate their vehicle on the right side of the roadway, except when the Department of Highways modify such restrictions.
Any driver who enters opposing lanes of traffic and collides with another vehicle is presumed negligent. Multiple liable parties could be involved in any car accident.
- Vehicle Owners: Of course, the person who owned or operated a vehicle will bear some responsibility if their negligence contributed to a collision.
- Business Entity: If a vehicle was being used for commercial purposes, the driver’s employer could also be held at fault. In Massachusetts, employers are held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees acting within the scope of their duties.
- Municipal Entities: A government entity could potentially be liable for a car accident in Massachusetts under G.L. c. 258. This may be the case if a car accident was caused by a vehicle owned by the government or a dangerous roadway condition.
Any person injured in a car accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability and justice in a civil action. Consider, for example, Hickey v. Sanders. A 34-year-old man was struck head-on by a car that crossed over a double yellow line. The defendant was a minor and allegedly intoxicated at the time of his injuries. The plaintiff sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including facial fractures and a brain injury. The case ultimately resulted in a $1.4 million settlement.
Taking Action after a Car Accident
Car accidents can be very traumatic and disruptive to a person’s life. Victims are often left with injuries that impair their ability to work and perform everyday activities. It is important that certain steps are taken after any collision.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the scene as early as possible. They will conduct an initial assessment of what happened and evaluate which party may have been at fault.
- Evidence Preservation: It’s a good idea to be proactive after any accident. You simply can’t rely on the police to be thorough when it comes to documenting the scene. When possible, victims should take photographs and videos of the accident site. They should also seek the contact information of eyewitnesses and try to obtain footage of the accident.
- Legal Support: Another step victims should take to preserve their rights is to contact an experienced Boston car accident attorney. An attorney can help ensure that negligent parties are held fully accountable and the victims are able to get the support that they need to recover.
Unfortunately, negligent drivers and their insurance providers simply don’t have your best interests in mind. Their only goal is to maximize the profits of the shareholders and business owners that they represent. Having an auto accident attorney on your side helps ensure that your best interests are taken into consideration at every stage of an accident claim.
Investigating Massachusetts Car Accidents
DiBella Law extends our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Gloucester car accident. It is our hope that they will be able to fully recover. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the young man who lost his life in this crash.
Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about legal options after a Gloucester car accident? Our team of experienced attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held fully accountable for their wrongful actions. If you are unsure where to begin after an accident, we can get you a free police report and answer any legal questions you may have. You are always welcome to reach out to our office anytime at (617) 870-0907.