Driver Charged in Connection with Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash in Methuen
SALEM, Mass. – January 14, 2025 – A driver has been arraigned in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Saturday, November 2 shortly after 6 a.m. on I-495 northbound in Methuen, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announces. Massachusetts State Police troopers and Methuen Fire personnel responded to a call and found individuals trapped in a heavily-damaged 2015 Ford F-250 pickup truck. One occupant of the vehicle, Celso Glayson Dias, 37, of Worcester, was pronounced deceased on scene. Another occupant of the vehicle, Kenny Roberto de Oliveira Alves Milanez, 41, of Worcester, was transported to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Two other occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital with injuries.
The defendant, Katrina Nguyen, 26, of Lawrence, who was driving a 2014 Acura MDX, allegedly left the scene of the fatal crash. Nguyen later turned herself in at the Lawrence Police Department. She has been charged with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, two counts of leaving the scene of personal injury and death, and two counts of leaving the scene of personal injury. Nguyen pled not guilty to all charges. The Hon. Salim Tabit set bail at $200,000.
Assistant District Attorney Susan Dolhun handled the Superior Court arraignment on behalf of the Commonwealth. Nguyen was represented by attorney James Edward Klotz. Nguyen is slated to return to court for a bail and pretrial hearing on February 13.
The investigation into the incident involved the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, MSP Crime Scene Services Section, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Methuen Police, Lawrence Police, Haverhill Police, and MSP detectives assigned to Tucker’s office and A-Troop.
All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Note: An earlier version was released on Sunday, November 3, 2024. This release has been updated to include information from the case moving from Lawrence District Court to Superior Court in Essex County.
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