Driver Charged With Killing Lowell Couple Was Racing, DA Says
LOWELL (CBS) – A 26-year-old Everett man faces motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter charges in the death of a Lowell couple who were struck and killed. Police say it was a drag racing incident.
Jose Medina, 66, and his wife Fernanda, 62, were taking their usual hour-long walk along Pawtucket Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. when Tyriek Brown allegedly lost control of his vehicle, jumped the curb and hit the couple.
The couple was rushed to Lowell General Hospital where they died. Brown was also taken to a hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. He was arrested late Thursday night.
Fernanda's sister, who did not want to use her name, said the Medinas' children can't comprehend it.
"The daughters are devastated, heartbroken," she said. "It's a dream to them right now, like it's not happening."
The one hundred yards of skid marks from the street to the sidewalk tell the story. The black mustang with the heavily damaged windshield finally came to a stop. Investigators said speed was a definite factor on the road with a posted limit of 40 mph.
The family said the Medinas were not supposed to be in Lowell Thursday night because they had plans to take their camper to Cape Cod for the summer, but were delayed by Jose's doctor appointment.
"He just beat cancer," Fernanda's sister said. "They were wonderful people who do anything for anybody."
For the Medinas, traveling and being with their close-knit Lowell family was their life.
"That was their world, two beautiful grandchildren. They loved, loved, loved the grandchildren," Fernanda's sister said.
Police are looking for the driver of the second car who fled the scene. Brown, who was out on a bail in a drug case, had his bail revoked.
