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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.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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