Crime & Safety
Westford Woman Charged In Fatal I-495 Crash
Investigators believe she was drunk when she drove the wrong way down I-495 and crashed into another car, killing the driver.
WESTFORD, MA – A Westford woman involved in a fatal wrong-way crash on I-495 earlier this month faces drunk driving and vehicular homicide charges, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's office. Julie Gagnon-Erickson, 45, was behind the wheel of a Nissan that collided with a Honda June 8 on I-495 South.
The other driver, 35-year-old Raming Medina Cabreja, of Worcester, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gagnon-Erickson was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Authorities say state police received several calls around 2 a.m. that morning for a white Nissan SUV speeding in the wrong direction on I-495 South. The crash was reported minutes later.
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Investigators believe Gagnon-Erickson was under the influence of alcohol and driving about 80 mph while heading north on the southbound side of the highway. She was arraigned Wednesday in Ayer District Court on charges of felony motor vehicular homicide while operating under the influence of alcohol.
Gagnon-Erickson was released on personal recognizance and ordered to remain under house arrest, not consume alcohol or drugs unless prescribed, not drive and to remain in Massachusetts. She must also surrender her passport and undergo a mental health evaluation.
Find out what's happening in Westfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Her next scheduled hearing is July 27.
Image via Shutterstock
Related: Westford Wrong-Way Crash: 1 Dead
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