Press Release  Lawrence Woman Arraigned for Motor Vehicle Homicide

Andover, Massachusetts — Shiina T. Dionne, 28, of Lawrence was arraigned today at Tufts Medical Center for motor vehicle homicide in connection with a fatal crash on Route 495 South in Andover on March 14, 2018.  A plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf.

She is charged with Operating Under the Influence; Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle; Motor Vehicle Homicide while OUI and Operating Negligently; Speeding; Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, Mark Lanes Violation and Failure to Change Lanes for Emergency Vehicle.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Brett Sabbag told the court that on March 14^th at approximately 10:45 pm, Massachusetts State Police responded to a crash on the southbound side of Route 495 in Andover.  A black Pontiac, operated by the defendant, crashed into the driver’s side of a tow truck, that was responding to the first crash.  The tow truck driver, later identified as Daniel Coady, 28, was struck and was unresponsive.  Mr. Coady was transported to Saints Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Responders used power tools to extricate the defendant from her car.  She was transported to Lowell General Hospital and later transferred to Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Judge Maurice Flynn set bail at $2500 and order the defendant to remain drug and alcohol free and submit to random screens and not to drive.  She is scheduled to appear at Lawrence District Court on April 4, 2018 for a pre-trial hearing.

She was represented by Attorney David Haynes and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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