WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - Bay State officials are urging the public to make road safety a priority after three overnight crashes left three people dead.
Two pedestrians were killed in Worcester and a motorist died in Leicester in three separate crashes late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Early Jr. was joined by Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent and Leicester Police Chief Kenneth Antanavicka at a 12:30 p.m. news conference outside Worcester District Court, where they made an “urgent plea for road safety.”
“If you’re driving, be on the lookout for pedestrians. If you see a yellow light, slow down,” Early Jr. said. “If you see a pedestrian in the road, use common sense.”
Early Jr., Sargent, and Antanavicka also urged drivers not to drink and drive and not to text and drive.
“Please, don’t drink and drive,” Antanavicka said. “Always remember, one bad choice can change your life.”
One of the pedestrians who was struck and killed near 229 Park Ave. in Worcester around 5 p.m. was identified as a 66-year-old man.
The other pedestrian, 54-year-old Devalter Marini Rocha, of Framingham, was struck and killed by a 23-year-old motorist near Chandler and May streets around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
The motorist in the crash is facing charges of motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence, Early Jr. said.
The driver involved in the Leicester crash died from an apparent “medical emergency” following a “minor traffic accident,” according to Antanavicka.
All of the crashes remain under investigation.
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