LOWELL — A wrong-way crash on the Lowell Connector early Wednesday morning left one individual useless, one other critically injured, and a Woburn man dealing with fees together with vehicular murder whereas driving drunk.
State Police mentioned Derek Witzenman, 29, was driving a Ford Mustang outbound within the inbound lanes close to Exit 5A shortly after 1 a.m. when he collided head-on with a Nissan Sentra carrying a driver and passenger.
First responders transported each occupants of the Sentra to Lowell Normal Hospital, the place the driving force was pronounced useless. The passenger was airlifted to Lahey Hospital & Medical Middle in Burlington and stays in important situation as of Wednesday afternoon, based on authorities.
Their identities haven’t been launched, pending notification of the household.
“The State Police offers our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim,” police mentioned in a press launch in regards to the wreck.
Witzenman, who was arrested on the scene, appeared just about from a hospital for his arraignment in Lowell District Court docket on Wednesday afternoon. Decide John Coffey set bail at $5,000 money with circumstances, together with that Witzenman not drive, that he abstain from alcohol and medicines, and undergo random screenings.
His legal professional, Joseph Higgins, informed Coffey that he anticipated Witzenman’s household would have the ability to put up the bail.
Throughout the arraignment, Middlesex Assistant District Legal professional Ryan Callahan outlined particulars from the State Police incident report, describing the violent wreck.
Troopers arrived to search out the Sentra with extreme front-end harm and two occupants inside — considered one of whom was unconscious and entrapped.
A closely broken Ford Mustang was positioned a number of toes away, and police recognized Witzenman as its driver.
“Officers noted that the defendant appeared to have glassy bloodshot eyes and they were able to notice his slurred speech and a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath,” Callahan mentioned.
In line with police, Witzenman denied consuming alcohol however admitted to smoking marijuana previous to the crash. When requested to carry out a subject sobriety take a look at, he allegedly refused, stating he would solely adjust to a lawyer current. He additionally declined to take a breath take a look at. Troopers then positioned him underneath arrest on the scene and handcuffed him.
“As they were escorting the defendant to the rear of their cruiser, they did observe the defendant to be unsteady on his feet, crossing his right foot over his left, and needing the trooper’s support to regain balance,” Callahan mentioned.
Police additionally interviewed two witnesses on the scene who reported seeing the Mustang touring the unsuitable means on the Lowell Connector when the collision with the Sentra occurred. One witness estimated the car was shifting at 70 to 80 mph “without signs of slowing,” Callahan mentioned.
“As the other witness attempted to check on the defendant’s wellbeing, they had used the word ‘hammered’ to describe the defendant’s condition,” he added. “Troopers indicated they put that to mean he was under the influence.”
Police mentioned that after Witzenman was transported to the Andover barracks for reserving, the scent of alcohol was detected within the rear of the cruiser.
On the barracks, he was learn his statutory rights and introduced with a consent kind requesting an evidentiary breath take a look at, which he refused to signal. He was then learn his Miranda rights and agreed to talk initially.
In line with the police report, when requested what number of alcoholic drinks he had consumed previous to the crash, Witzenman once more denied ingesting and said he had solely used marijuana. He subsequently declined to reply additional questions with out an legal professional current.
Police mentioned Witzenman then requested emergency medical providers, “stating that he was feeling unwell and had chest pains.” He was transported to Lawrence Normal Hospital for a medical analysis.
Along with motorized vehicle murder whereas working underneath the affect, Witzenman is charged with negligent operation of a motorized vehicle, working with a suspended license, dashing, and driving the unsuitable means.
Throughout his arraignment, Callahan requested that Witzenman be held on $10,000 money bail, together with surrendering his passport, abstaining from medication and alcohol, and submitting to random screenings.
Higgins, who based on the Regulation Workplaces of Milligan & Higgins web site focuses on defending purchasers charged with drunk driving, requested Coffey to launch Witzenman on private recognizance on the identical circumstances. If bail had been to be imposed, Higgins urged it’s set between $2,500 and $5,000.
“I would note in reviewing his board of probation record, not one default appears on there,” Higgins informed Coffey.
Higgins added that he had spoken with Witzenman’s mom earlier Wednesday afternoon and mentioned his 29-year-old shopper lives along with her in Woburn.
“I suggest he has strong ties to the community,” the legal professional mentioned. “I would ask that the court release him on personal recognizance subject to the conditions outlined by the government.”
Coffey settled on $5,000 money bail, together with the aforementioned circumstances.
Witzenman is scheduled to return to courtroom on Jan. 14.
When requested by The Solar about his shopper’s medical situation and the case following the arraignment, Higgins declined to remark.
Police mentioned the crash stays underneath investigation by the Collision Evaluation and Reconstruction Part, the Crime Scene Providers Part, and the Middlesex State Police Detective Unit. The crash required authorities to shut all inbound journey lanes close to Exit 5A till 4 a.m.
Observe Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
