New Hampshire Woman Arraigned in Connection with Fatal Crash in Dracut
DRACUT – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Dracut Chief of Police Peter Bartlett have confirmed that Maria Martorell, 36, of Manchester, New Hampshire, has been charged with negligent operation while under the influence causing motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, 2nd offense, operating under the influence causing child endangerment, negligent operation and a marked lanes violation in connection with a crash that occurred on Saturday, January 20, that resulted in the death of one woman and injured eight others.
Martorell was arraigned today at a Boston Hospital. A 58a dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 29 to be held virtually in Lowell District Court.
The preliminary investigation suggests that at approximately 8:55 p.m., Ms. Martorell was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on Route 110 toward Methuen when her vehicle drifted over the yellow line striking multiple vehicles. The defendant’s actions also allegedly caused other vehicles in the roadway to crash into each other. In total, four vehicles and ten people were involved in the crash.
Maria Rivera Mercado, 82, a passenger in the Jeep being driven by the defendant, was pronounced dead at the scene. All passengers of the other vehicles involved in the crash were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries varying in severity.
At the scene, Ms. Martorell allegedly smelled of alcohol and was exhibiting signs of impairment. She was also transported to the hospital from the scene.
This crash is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Dracut Police, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section.
The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Robert Royce. The Victim Witness Advocate is Dar’ya Matkovska.