A woman was killed by a speeding motorcycle in Methuen, Massachusetts, Sunday night, and authorities say they've made an arrest in the case.
The woman was found face down by the side of Lowell Street near Alexander Circle at about 8:37 p.m. Sunday, Methuen police said. An officer provided first aid until paramedics arrived to bring her to Lawrence General Hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead.
Family members have identified the victim as 62-year-old Pamela O'Neil, a Methuen resident.
"She was one of the first women in Essex County to receive her wings from the 82nd Airborne," said the victim's daughter, Kelsie O'Neil. "She was a paratrooper."
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The Essex County District Attorney confirmed Monday evening that there has been an arrest in the case. The suspect was identified Tuesday morning as Martin Quinlan, of Andover. He is expected to appear in court later Tuesday.
"No one's mom deserves this," Kelsie O'Neil said. "He left my mother there to die."
Surveillance video shows a speeding motorcycle, possibly a Harley Davidson with a missing, two-tone grey and dark red fender, hit the woman, police said. The vehicle slows and stops, then continues driving.
"I'm glad they caught him," said Dan O'Neil, Pamela's husband.
Loved ones are grateful it didn't take longer for an arrest to be made.
"Anybody that did what he did and let someone lie there like they're nothing deserves everything they're going to get," said Dan O'Neil.
Pamela O'Neil had just stepped out to go to the nearby convenience store when she was hit.
Her family can't understand how anyone could just leave her on the street.
"I think they're a coward," said Kelsie O'Neil. "They need to get the full hammer of the law and they need prison time."
Pamela’s daughters already miss their mom and everything she meant to their family.
"I told her I loved her the night she died, a few hours before, and then she was gone," said daughter Erin O'Neil. "I'm happy I can say I at least did that."
Anyone with information about what happened, the motorcycle or its driver, who hadn't been identified as of Monday morning, was asked to call police at 978-983-8698.
