For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 21, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Arrest Suspect in Deadly Hit-and-Run Crash

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga announce that the Methuen Police Department will charge a juvenile in connection with the hit-and-run crash that killed a Methuen man last week.

Methuen Police arrested a JUVENILE MALE, AGE 16, OF LAWRENCE on charges of:

• Manslaughter
• Operating Recklessly Causing the Death of Another
• Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Collision Causing the Death of Another
• Witness Interference/Intimidation (Two Counts)
• Unlicensed Operation
• Speeding

At 8:40 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, Methuen Police and Fire were dispatched to the area of 253 Jackson St. for a report that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. First responding officers and EMTs provided aid at the scene, but the victim, Timothy Lafferty, age 57, of Methuen, succumbed to his injuries.

Through a subsequent investigation, conducted in cooperation with the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS), Methuen Police determined that Lafferty was struck by a white 2011 Acura Infiniti M37 traveling north on Jackson Street.

That vehicle was quickly located and, as a result of their investigation, officers determined that the JUVENILE MALE had allegedly taken the vehicle from its owner’s home on Brook Street and onto Jackson Street, where he allegedly struck Lafferty, and later returned the vehicle with front end damage. The vehicle owner and the JUVENILE MALE are known to one another.

The JUVENILE MALE allegedly made verbal threats against a witness to the crash.

He was arrested today without incident.

“This was a tragedy that was entirely avoidable,” Chief Solomon said. “I’m proud of the tireless effort our officers put in to investigate this incident and identify the person responsible so that they can be held accountable for their actions.”

The suspect is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in Lawrence Juvenile Court.

###