Lowell Man Charged with Leaving the Scene of Death in Connection with Death of Pedestrian

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor announced today that a Lowell man has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of death in connection with the death of a pedestrian last week.

Hector Caustrita, 21, of Lowell, was arrested today without incident at the Lowell Police Department.  The defendant has been charged with leaving the scene of death.
 
He will be arraigned this afternoon in Lowell District Court.

On June 4, at approximately 10:49pm, Lowell Police responded to the intersection of Westford and Windsor streets.  When they arrived they discovered Elmer Mortensen, 86, of Lowell, fatally injured.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Officers immediately began an investigation into the circumstances of his death. 

Through their investigation, authorities allegedly discovered that the victim was crossing the roadway at that intersection when he was struck by a blue 2003 Volkswagen GTItraveling west on Westford Street driven by the defendant.  It is alleged that the defendant stopped and exited his vehicle, and approached the victim who was unresponsive.  He then allegedly returned to his car, and drove off down WestfordStreet, toward Chelmsford.

Police located the car allegedly driven by the defendant, which is registered in his name, at an apartment complex approximately three miles from the scene of the crash.  It is alleged to have significant damage to the windshield.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Clarence Brown. The Victim Witness Advocate is Alyssa Donovan.