State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 3 North in Chelmsford

Today, at approximately 3:21 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Andover responded to a fatal crash on the ramp from Route 3 North to the Lowell Connector in Chelmsford that resulted in one fatality, one serious injury and three minor injuries.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Joseph Crowley indicates that a 1997 Honda sedan operated by 26 year-old Balonga Vilavong of Fitchburg struck the bridge abutment on the left side of the ramp from Route 3 North to the Lowell Connector, ending up across both lanes of the ramp. Both Vilavong and his passenger, 23 year-old Denn S. Touch of Fitchburg stepped out of the vehicle onto the ramp. Touch was later struck by a 2004 Toyota sedan operated 19 year-old Lyly T. Tran of Lowell. Tran's Toyota then struck the Honda which subsequently struck Vilavong who was standing in the roadway on the opposite side of the vehicle. A 2002 Honda sedan operated by 39 year-old Tony S. Yan of Lowell had previously pulled over in the breakdown lane to assist Vilavong sustained minor damage from Vilavong's Honda as a result of the crash.

Touch sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. Vilavong was taken by ambulance with serious injuries to the Leahy Clinic. Tran and one of her passengers, 18 year-old Lisa Santersola of Dracut were both taken by ambulance with minor injuries to Lowell General Hospital. Another passenger from the Toyota, 19 year-old Lucille Manisy of Lowell was taken by ambulance with minor injuries to Saints Memorial Hospital.

After Tran's release from Lowell General Hospital, she was arrested and charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligence, and speeding. This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Lowell Fire Department, Lowell Police Department and MassHighways assisted troopers at the scene.

Due to the investigation the ramp from Route 3 North to the Lowell Connector was completely closed for approximately three hours.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.

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