LAWRENCE — A Peabody girl who was about to enter sixth grade has been identified as the victim of a head-on car crash over the weekend.
Taysha Rohena Silva, 11, was rushed to Lawrence General Hospital Saturday night where she was pronounced dead.
The child was one of five people traveling in a 2016 Honda Civic when they were struck by a white 2009 Infiniti G37 at the intersection of Andover Street and Winthrop Avenue, according to police.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office said Taysha’s 8-old sister, her mother, 29, her mother’s boyfriend, 27, and a 15-year-old cousin were also in the car. They remain in various Boston hospitals with serious injuries.
The operator of the Infiniti, Selvin Manuel Lima, 23, was arraigned Monday in the intensive care unit at Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital, the DA said. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, manslaughter, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to stop for police, speeding, and a marked lanes violation. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail.
Police said Lima, the solo occupant of the car, was evading law enforcement when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. He sustained serious injuries was med-flighted to Boston.
Lawrence police said at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a patrolman attempted to stop Lima’s car at the intersection of South Union and Winthrop for speeding and erratic operation. As the officer walked up to the car, Lima fled at a high rate of speed. The officer did not pursue the suspect.
Police allege he turned onto Winthrop Avenue, better known as Route 114, and as he approached the intersection of Winthrop and Andover streets, lost control of the car, crossed over to the southbound side and struck the other car.
Superintendent Cara Murtagh said Taysha does not attend Peabody Public Schools. She said her heart goes out to the family.
Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque did not return calls seeking comment.
The Massachusetts State Police and the Essex DA’s Office are investigating.
