Ex-Lowell Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Crash

SALEM, Mass. (AP) — A former Lowell police officer charged with killing a Lawrence man in a drunken driving crash will continue to be held on $100,000 bail.

A lawyer for Eric Wayne asked in Salem Superior Court on Thursday that his client be released on $10,000 bail because of his close ties to the community and an unblemished 19-year career as an officer.

Wayne pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by motor vehicle, motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Police say Wayne was driving west on Route 110 in Methuen just after midnight on Aug. 23 when he crossed the center line and struck an SUV head-on. The driver, 26-year-old Briant Paula of Lawrence, died at the hospital.

Wayne resigned shortly after the crash.

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