Earlier today, the Essex County District Attorney's Office revealed it will not be pressing criminal charges against the driver of a tractor-trailer truck involved in a fatal collision with a 5-year-old girl. The accident occurred on May 9, resulting in the death of Sidney Olson as she crossed an intersection in Andover. Notwithstanding the lack of criminal charges, the Olson family is suing the driver and trucking company for civil damages as stated by NBC10 Boston.
The accident took place near Elm Square at approximately 5:15 p.m., with Sidney declared dead at the scene. The driver halted post-collision and cooperated fully with the police. Despite the DA's office conducting a thorough investigation, including a review of the crash scene, witness interviews, and driver toxicology reports, insufficient evidence was found to press criminal charges according Boston25 News.
"Safe Streets for People" is the mantra of the Sidney Mae Olson Rainbow Fund, established by Sidney's grieving family in remembrance of their deceased daughter. In a Boston Globe article, the family expressed gratitude for the work of the Andover police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex County District Attorney. Emphasizing the preventability of such traffic disasters, they are organizing "Sidney's Rainbow Run" on Thanksgiving Day and pledging to make roads safer.
In their continuing efforts to improve traffic safety measures, the family is advocating simple yet vital solutions such as mounting cross-view mirrors on state-owned trucks. This measure has already become mandatory in Massachusetts owing to the vulnerable road users law. Additionally, the family encourages local officials to implement safety enhancements, residents to share related experiences, businesses to add safety features to their vehicles, and lawmakers to pass House Bill 3393 for automated enforcement.
As emphasized in a contact by their lawyer, Jennifer Denker, to NBC10 Boston, the Olson family has filed a civil lawsuit against the tractor-trailer driver and trucking company. They assert that the truck lacked necessary safety features that could have potentially saved Sidney's life.
Through the Sidney Mae Olson Rainbow Fund, the family hopes to reduce tragic consequences on the roads. Sidney was known for her love for people, and the hope is that her legacy will encourage communities and governments to actively pursue effective solutions for preventing these kinds of traffic fatalities.
