Fatal Methuen Crash: 1 Killed, Alcohol Suspected

METHUEN, MA — A woman was killed and three others were seriously hurt in a crash in Methuen Sunday and police said alcohol was likely a factor. The crash happened at about 3 a.m. on Milk Street when a Honda sedan with four woman inside crashed into a utility pole. A passenger sitting in the rear seat, identified as Jennifer Montanez, 23, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was killed.

The front seat passenger, identified as a 28-year-old Peabody woman, suffered critical injuries and was medflighted to Massacusetts General Hospital in Boston. Another rear seat passenger, identified as a 29-year-old from Methuen, suffered injuries that were not life threatening, police said. The driver, Jacleyn Leclerc, of Peabody, also suffered injuries that were not life threatening, police said.

"(Leclerc) was traveling northbound on Milk Street when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the travel lane and proceeded onto the right shoulder and sidewalk, subsequently colliding with a telephone pole," police said in a statement. "The vehicle sustained catastrophic damage ... alcohol does appear to be a factor."

Police said an investigation is ongoing.

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