Massachusetts

Lynnway Auto Auction Hosts Prayer Service After 3 Killed in Tragic Accident

The three victims were killed when a vehicle went out of control and drove into a crowd of people during an auto auction

A Massachusetts auto auction held a house prayer service Wednesday morning to honor victims who died during a tragic accident last week.

Three victims were killed when a vehicle went out of control and drove into a crowd of people at Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica last Wednesday.

Nine people were also hurt in the incident.

The prayer service, which was open to the public, took place at the auction site at 8:15 a.m.

Lynette Johnson, who works at the auction was one of the many people moved by the short prayer. 

She said, "He was basically saying prayers for the people who lost their lives and their families and I'm quite sure we are all praying for them." 

Brenda Lopez, 48, and Pantaleon Santos, 49, both of Rhode Island, died at the scene, and 36-year-old Leezandra Aponte of Lowell, Massachusetts, was pronounced dead at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Lynnway Auto Auction took steps to improve safety. Large yellow barriers anre now in place to keep cars in their lanes.

Peter Mueller, who attended the auction, said, "That's a big big difference - considerably better than it ever has been."

When asked if he though the changes would help, Scott Richards, who works security, said, "Oh yeah. Yeah. I worked security for years, it's a lot better now."

The driver, who spoke with NBC Boston last week, is in his 70's and had a suspended license.

The DA's office actively investigating, but they say it appears to be a tragic accident 

Lynnway Auto Auction has announced plans to raise funds for the victims' families.

Contact Us