Details emerge in Lynn rush hour car crash that sent 3 to the hospital

LYNN – The driver who caused a scary and destructive two-car accident, which ejected two people from a vehicle Tuesday at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Essex Street, was cited for improper passing and a red light violation, police said Wednesday.Vladimir Mikertchian, 54, of 44 Elwin St., Swampscott, was cited after his 2001 Subaru, which witnesses said was speeding, careened through a red light and plowed into the side of a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am attempting to turn left.The force of the impact caused two occupants, identified as Rachael Gourley, 18, of Sturbridge and Michael O’Donnell, 19, of Holland, to be ejected from the vehicle. The front seat passenger, Nicholas Mazzaone, 18, of Holland, was also injured.Amazingly, all three victims were treated and released from Salem Hospital, police said.Witnesses told police that Mikertchian passed another vehicle on the right after it had stopped for the red light, according to Lt. Dave Brown.”He indicated that he might have fallen asleep while driving,” Brown said.Mikertchian was not injured and was speaking to police after the crash.Both cars crashed into a utility pole, completely snapping it off its base before bringing down a traffic light, which was attached by wires across the street.The 2:30 p.m. accident closed the typically busy intersection well into rush hour.