LAWRENCE, Mass. — A 23-year-old Lawrence man involved in a fatal car crash last month was arraigned in Salem Superior Court on Wednesday.
Selvin Lima pleaded not guilty to charges indicted by the Grand Jury on Monday. Judge Jeffrey Karp said Lima will continue to be held without bail.
Lima is charged with manslaughter with a motor vehicle, three counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily harm, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child, failure to stop for police, and operating after suspension or revocation of his license.
On July 13, he crashed his car into another vehicle, killing 11-year-old Taysha Rohena Silva of Peabody and injuring her 8-year-old sister, cousin, mother and her mother's boyfriend.
Police said Lima was initially stopped for driving erratically but fled and lost control of his car before crashing. The Essex County District Attorney's office said Lima turned onto Winthrop Avenue and as he approached the intersection of Winthrop and Andover Street, lost control of his car, crossed to the other side of the road and hit a black 2016 Honda Civic head on, carrying the five passengers.
Lima will return to court for a dangerousness hearing on September 4.