GLSS driver charged with motor vehicle homicide arraigned

LYNN – A Lynn man spent his birthday in Lynn District Court Friday when he was arraigned on charges that he killed a woman by driving negligently.Ramon Gonzalez, 49, of 50 Baldwin St., was charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligence and a crosswalk violation after he allegedly hit Diane Ward, 61, also of Lynn,while she was crossing Chestnut Street. Gonzalez was driving a Greater Lynn Senior Services van at the time of the incident, which occurred shortly before noon on July 23. There were no passengers in the van.The court hearing before Judge James LaMothe was brief. Gonzalez was released on personal recognizance, ordered to surrender his passport, prohibited from driving and his case was continued until Dec. 10.According to police reports Gonzalez stated that he did not see Ward when he turned off Essex Street and onto Chestnut Street, striking her as she crossed in the intersection in the crosswalk. Gonzalez told police during an interview two days later that he believed a mirror on the van blocked his view and that he hit the brakes as soon as he saw her.Ward was transported to Salem Hospital with face and head injuries but she was conscious and alert, according to the police report. Gonzalez was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.Once at Salem, however, it was determined Ward’s injuries were more serious than initially thought and she was immediately transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where she underwent surgery, the report states. Four days later Ward died.Gonzalez told officers that GLSS officials had a drug and alcohol test administered immediately following the crash and it came up negative.According to a supplementary report filed in September Police Sgt. Ned Shinnick wrote that he, along with a State Trooper and an Assistant District Attorney, reviewed the re-enactment of the crash and it was clear that Gonzalez should have seen Ward in the crosswalk. It was also determined that probable cause existed to charge Gonzalez with motor vehicle homicide due to negligent operations, Shinnick wrote.If found guilty of motor vehicle homicide Gonzalez could serve up to two and a half years in jail and/or be faced with a $3,000 fine. The Registry of Motor Vehicles will also revoke his license for 15 years or possibly life if convicted. He also faces a civil $200 civil fine if convicted of the crosswalk violation.Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].