One person was killed Monday night after a police chase in Amesbury ended in a violent rollover crash, when a backseat passenger was ejected from a car and then struck by another vehicle. Amesbury police arrested the driver, an 18-year-old Lawrence resident, who now faces homicide and drug-trafficking charges. Two other occupants of the car were also taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident.
According to Amesbury police, officers first tried to pull the vehicle over on Hillside Avenue. The driver initially came to a stop but took off as officers approached on foot. The pursuit continued for roughly three miles before coming to an end at the intersection of Elm Street and Route 110, Boston 25 reported.
Crash and scene
Emergency crews arriving on Elm Street found the vehicle rolled onto its roof. A backseat passenger had been thrown from the car and then hit by another vehicle, authorities said, and later died from his injuries, according to NBC Boston. Officials have only identified him as a 24-year-old man from Lawrence. WCVB reported that multiple people from the crash were transported to area hospitals and that crews worked through the night to clear the wreckage.
Charges and arrests
Amesbury police say 18-year-old Yenciel Soto of Lawrence was behind the wheel and is now facing a list of charges that includes motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, trafficking in heroin and several traffic violations. Two passengers, 24-year-old Felix Agramonte and 29-year-old Iran Soto-Custodio, both from Lawrence, were each charged with trafficking in heroin, according to police. The three are expected to be arraigned in court, Boston 25 reported.
Investigation and road closure
State police assisted Amesbury officers at the crash site, and Route 110 was shut down overnight before reopening early Tuesday, officials said, according to WHDH. Authorities have not released the victim’s name beyond his age and hometown, and the investigation remains active with additional details not yet made public, NBC Boston noted.
