Press Release  Beverly Man Arraigned for Motor Vehicle Homicide

Beverly, Massachusetts — A 31-year old Beverly man was arraigned today in his hospital bed in connection with a motor vehicle crash in Beverly that killed Christine Dinis, 45, of Peabody and seriously injured Dennis Moustakis, 48, Salem.

Todd Porter, 31, was arraigned today at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, on Motor Vehicle Homicide while OUI; OUI causing Serious Bodily Injury; OUI (Liquor); Alcohol from Open Container; Operating a Motor Vehicle with License Revoked; Speeding; and 2 counts of Failure to Stop. 

Judge Robert Brennen ordered him held on $100,000 cash bail.  The defendant was also arraigned on two cases for which warrants had been issued earlier this year. He was ordered held on $5,000 cash for each of those cases.   Judge Brennan also revoked the defendant’s bail in an open OUI case in which the defendant has defaulted. 

Essex Assistant District Attorney Lynsey Legier told the court that the defendant was driving a 2013 Cadillac SRX east on Elliott Street (Route 62) in Beverly allegedly at a high rate of speed and ran the red light at the intersection with Rantoul Street.  Mr. Moustakis, who was driving a 2000 Ford F150 truck south on Rantoul Street, was allegedly struck by Mr. Porter.  The defendant and two victims were transported to Beverly Hospital where Ms. Dinis was pronounced dead.  Mr. Moustakis’ current listed condition is unknown although he is expected to survive his injuries. 

ADA Legier also told the court that two straight warrants for Mr. Porter’s arrest had been issued based on allegations of abuse made by Ms. Dinis on two separate occasions earlier this year.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Scott Dullea and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  He is scheduled to appear in Salem District Court on June 12^th for a Pre-Trial Conference.

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