Statements from Mayor Kendrys Vasquez and Chief Roy Vasque

“Our prayers are with the Hernandez Family for their loss and with Lucidania Peña that she may recover” said Mayor Vasquez.  He added “automotive fatalities are avoidable and while this arrest brings closure to a tragic situation I call on all Lawrencians to practice prudence in their driving especially as summer months arrive.”

"I am happy that the individual responsible for this senseless tragedy, where one young woman lost her life and a second young woman was seriously injured, has been brought to justice. This event could have been avoided, and is yet another example of how reckless and impaired driving has tragic consequences. My heart goes out to the families of both victims. I hope that this arrest will aid them in the healing process. I would like to thank Lawrence Police Sgt. Michael Simard for his lead role in this investigation as well as District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s Office, the Essex State Police Unit and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section for all of their hard work which led to this individual now being in custody," said Chief Roy Vasque.

Statement from District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s Office  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2021

The suspect in a fatal motor vehicle crash on April 29, 2021 has been arrested, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque.  He will be arraigned in Lawrence District today.

Pedro Nieves, 29, of Lawrence was arrested this morning by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section.  He will be arraigned in Lawrence District Court for Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, Operating Under the Influence causing Serious Bodily Injury and Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and other related charges.

On April 29, 2021, a 20-year old Lawrence woman was driving a black 2011 Honda Civic on Winthrop Avenue when her vehicle was struck by a gray 2006 Acura vehicle traveling on South Union Street.  She sustained serious injuries and was med-flighted to a Boston hospital.  Her passenger, Gabriela Hernandez, 24, of Lawrence, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

It is alleged that Nieves was driving the Acura.  He had two passengers, a 31-year old Lawrence man and a 29-year old Methuen man.

He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Carrie Kimball

Director of Communications

Essex District Attorney’s Office

Carrie.Kimball@mass.gov