Lowell Man Indicted For Leaving Scene of Death After Car Crash

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan today announced the indictment of a Lowell man in connection with the June 4 death of another Lowell resident who was killed after being hit by a car.

Hector Caustrita, 21 of Lowell, was indicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Grand Jury on October 1, charged with leaving the scene of a death and operating a motor vehicle to endanger.

An arraignment date has not been scheduled.

Lowell Police responded to a report of a car crash involving a pedestrian at the corner of Westford and Windsor streets on June 4 at approximately 10:45p.m. Witnesses reported seeing a blue Volkswagen car stop at that location. The driver exited to check on the pedestrian before the driver returned to the car and drove away, authorities allege.

Police found Elmer Mortensen, 86, of Lowell, and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

“An elderly man was killed crossing the street, an awful tragedy, and the defendant’s reaction was allegedly to drive away without reporting it,” District Attorney Ryan said. “Those decisions have consequences and, we allege, they put other people at risk.”

An investigation by Lowell Police later found the car the defendant allegedly drove the night of the incident. The car was located at an apartment complex three miles from the site and found with a cracked windshield and one working headlight, authorities said.

Further investigation identified Caustrita as the car’s owner and, later, as the driver the night of the crash. Police subsequently arrested the defendant.

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

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