The Massachusetts man charged in connection with a Lawrence crash that killed an 11-year-old girl and seriously injured four others last month faced a judge on Wednesday.
Following his grand jury indictment Monday, Selvin Lima, 23, pleaded not guilty in Salem Superior Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child, failure to stop for police and operating after suspension or revocation of license.
Lima was fleeing from police on July 13 when he crashed into a vehicle at the intersection of Andover Street and Winthrop Avenue, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said.
As a result of the crash, 11-year-old Taysha Rohena Silva, of Peabody, was killed. Silva's 8-year-old sister, cousin, mother and her mother’s boyfriend were all seriously injured, according to authorities.
Police say Lima was initially stopped for erratic driving but fled the scene. He lost control of his car and hit Silva's car head-on.
Lima is due back in court Sept. 4 for a dangerousness hearing. He is being represented by attorney Bill Sullivan.
