LAWRENCE, MASS. (WHDH) - A heartbroken community gathered together Monday night to remember a little girl who was killed in a head-on crash in Lawrence Sunday night that left four other people seriously injured and has one man facing a manslaughter charge.
Taysha Rohena Silva,11, of Peabody was killed in the crash that left her 29-year-old mother, her mother’s 27-year-old boyfriend, her 8-year-old sister, and her 15-year-old cousin seriously injured.
Her family still coming to grips with their loss.
“It is killing me inside, like I have cried for these past few days,” said Taysha’s father, Roberto Silva. “I legit have no more tears coming out.”
Grief-stricken residents have created a growing memorial of candles, flowers and other items at the scene of the crash.
“Too many precious lives are being taken by these people that want to be so negligent,” one woman said. “It doesn’t make any sense, it doesn’t make any sense.”
Silva’s father said he wants his daughter to be remembered for her bubbly personality and her love of cars.
Those who attended the vigil say they are heartbroken over the little girl whose life ended too soon.
“If you get pulled over, it’s just a $40 bill,” Roberto Silva said. “A $40 bill is cheaper than a person’s life you know. There is no money that could replace that and here I am with my daughter’s death. I am not going to get that back.”
The driver accused of causing the crash, Selvin Manuel Lima, 23, of Lawrence, pleaded not guilty Monday at Brigham & Women’s Hospital to charges including manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating with a suspended license, and failure to stop for a police officer, according to the Essex District Attorney’s Office.
A tearful Lima was ordered held without bail as he laid handcuffed to the bed.
Prosecutors say when officers approached Lima’s car at a traffic stop, he sped away, lost control as he turned onto Winthrop Avenue, and crossed into the southbound travel lane, striking a black 2016 Honda Civic head-on.
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