Press Release  Methuen Woman Arraigned for 2018 Fatal MV Crash

Haverhill, Massachusetts —  

A 20-year old woman was arraigned today in Haverhill District Court for Felony Motor Vehicle Homicide and Manslaughter in connection with a 2018 crash that killed her friend.

 Judge Stephen Abany ordered Emily McGovern to remain drug and alcohol free with random screens and not to drive during the pendency of the case.  The defendant appeared on a summons that issued following an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Calvin Skeirik told the court that on March 31, 2018, Massachusetts State Police responded to a roll over crash on Route 495 North near exit 50 in Haverhill.  The responding trooper found a 2004 Lincoln LS overturned.  The passenger, Alexis Spartz, 18, of Methuen, was removed from the vehicle and transported to Lawrence General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.  The defendant, who was the operator of the vehicle, was transported to Lawrence General and then med-flighted to Tufts Medical Center.  Witnesses reported to investigators that they saw the Lincoln travelling at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic.  Further investigation determined that the defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.19.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and is represented by Attorney Viktor Theiss.  The next court date is August 8, 2019 for status.

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