Driver Of Passenger Van Crash Arrested In Billerica
On Friday, October 07, 2011, at approximately 6:30 PM, Billerica Police arrested Melissa Rich, 21 years old, of #21 F Street, Dracut MA for numerous motor vehicle related charges, including Operating under the Influence of Alcohol causing Serious Bodily Injury. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at approximately 3:40 PM. At that time the Billerica police were responding to the area of Treble Cove Road and River Street for a report a white passenger van driving erratically. While en route to the area, Officer William Connors, who was driving a marked Billerica Police Cruiser, observed a white van matching the description headed east bound on River Street approaching that area of Bridle Road. The vehicle was observed to be traveling at a high rate of speed while operating on the wrong side of the road. The vehicle made a sudden turn across the roadway, crashing through two mailboxes, a telephone pole and various properties before coming to rest after it struck a home located at 186 River Street. The van was occupied by three adult special needs passengers, all of whom were transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington. One of these passengers sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash. A follow up investigation of the operator, Melissa Rich, determined that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time she was operating the van. Ms. Rich will be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
Any further inquiries should be directed to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Public Information Officer, Jessica Venezia Pastore at 781-897-8325.
Pictures of the accident