Press Release  Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal MV Crash

Lawrence, MA — A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today to charges in connection with fatal motor vehicle crash in that took the life of a mother of two and seriously injured another woman. 

Pedro Nieves, 30, of Lawrence pleaded guilty to Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, Operating Under the Influence causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury in Lawrence Superior Court.  Judge William Barrett sentenced him to 12 to 18 years in state prison, followed by five years on probation.

Had the case gone to trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Mary Eileen Spano would have introduced evidence that would prove that on April 29, 2021 at approximately 12:26 am, the defendant was intoxicated while operating a 2006 Acura when he ran a red light at the intersection of South Union Street and Winthrop Avenue in Lawrence.  He struck a Honda Civic with such force, the car split in two. The passenger of the Civic, Gabriela Hernandez, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the Honda, a then 20-year old Lawrence woman, sustained serious injuries and was med-flighted to a Boston hospital.   She remained hospitalized for two months following the crash. Her mobility remains limited to this day.

The two passengers in the defendant’s vehicle sustained non-life threatening injuries. 

The defendant was represented by Attorney Gerry LaFlamme.

ADA Spano thanked Lawrence Police Sargeant Mike Simard and Essex Victim Advocate Michelle Defeo for their assistance.

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