Drivers identified in deadly pedestrian crash on Abbey Memorial Drive in Chicopee
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County District Attorney's Office has identified the two drivers who are being charged in connection with a deadly pedestrian crash in Chicopee.
On Sunday, February 9th officers were called at around 7:19 p.m. to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian in the area of the 1200 block of Abbey Memorial Drive. When officers arrived, they found an adult woman suffering from injuries. The woman, 34-year-old Vanessa Perez of Springfield, died due to her injuries.
Chicopee man arrested in Connecticut for OUI, driving on wrong side of road
Nearly a month into the investigation by the Hampden District Attorney's Office Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Chicopee Police Department, two vehicles that were allegedly involved in the crash were located. The drivers have been identified as 29-year-old Lavonta Williams Jr. of Chicopee and 23-year-old Jerimeldo Lopez of South Hadley. They are scheduled to be arraigned on April 8th and April 9th.
Williams Jr. is being charged with one count of leaving the scene of personal injury and death. Lopez is being charged with one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and one count of leaving the scene of personal injury and death.
'My condolences go out to the Perez family over this tragedy. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to fight for justice and accountability through our forthcoming prosecution,' said Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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