REVERE, Mass. — The driver who struck and killed a five-year-old girl and her two-month-old baby sister in Revere in 2018 has pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide charges, says Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins.
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During a change of plea hearing, 43-year-old Autumn Harris of Beacon Hill pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide.
Suffolk Superior Court Judge Linda Giles sentenced Harris to 4.5 years in a house of correction, six months suspended, and four years of probation.
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Harris is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle for 15 years, she must be alcohol and drug-free and she must attend and complete the Brains at Risk program which brings awareness to the devastating effects of traumatic brain injuries.
Second Assistant District Attorney Masai King told the court that Harris was driving northbound on Revere Beach Parkway shortly after 5:00 p.m. on December 9, 2018, when her 2015 Chevy Equinox left the roadway and traveled onto the center median where 5-year-old Adrianna Mejia-Rivera and 2-month-old Natasha Nicole Mejia-Rivera were standing with their mother, another adult, and a two-year-old child.
Adrianna was pronounced dead on the scene and Natasha was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died of her injuries two days later.
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State Police detectives assigned to District Attorney Rollins' office led the investigation with assistance from the Revere Police Department.
Harris made statements admitting to drinking one beer that afternoon and vaping non THC cannabinoid oil while operating the vehicle.
Officers who responded to the scene located an open can of Budweiser outside of the driver’s side door, and a vape pen was found inside the car.
Harris also said she had taken a muscle relaxant and melatonin the previous night and had only slept for two hours before performing a full day of work prior to the crash. She admitted that she may have “nodded off” while driving.
In addition, she failed a series of field sobriety tests administered at the scene of the crash and at the Revere State Police barracks, but a Drug Recognition Expert determined she was not showing signs of being intoxicated. A blood test performed after the crash showed a negative result for alcohol.
“Two beautiful children are gone as a result of reckless behavior that could have been prevented. Ms. Harris may not have intended to cause harm, but she failed to show any concern for the foreseeable consequences of driving a nearly two-ton vehicle while incapacitated. Her choice was made with complete disregard for the lives and safety of others, and she is being held accountable for the harm she inflicted. Adrianna and Natasha’s parents had to bury their only children. When I look at the pictures of these beautiful children, I can’t begin to comprehend the depths of their anguish. I only wish we were able to get a more significant sentence for this defendant. Had the case of intoxication been stronger, we would be looking at a different outcome. My Office will continue to be here to support these parents and provide assistance and resources to help them in their long and continued journey toward healing."
— District Attorney Rachael Rollins