Wrong-Way Crash in Lowell Leaves One Dead; Driver Accused of Being “Hammered” Behind the Wheel
LOWELL, Mass. — A tragic wrong-way crash early Wednesday morning on the Lowell Connector claimed one life and left another person critically injured. Authorities say the suspected driver, 29-year-old Derek Witzenman of Woburn, was intoxicated at the time of the collision.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, Witzenman was driving the wrong way on the highway just after 1 a.m. when his vehicle slammed head-on into another car. The driver of that vehicle, whose name has not yet been publicly released, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the same car was airlifted to Lahey Hospital in Burlington, where they remain in critical condition.
Witnesses told investigators that Witzenman appeared “hammered” and was speeding at 80 to 90 miles per hour before the crash. One witness, Eric Courtemanche, described the terrifying moment he narrowly avoided the oncoming vehicle before witnessing the impact. “I saw headlights coming towards me,” he told WBZ-TV. “When I came around the corner, I lost vision but saw the smoke and said, ‘Oh my God, he hit him.’ So I called 911.”
Prosecutors said Witzenman displayed bloodshot, glassy eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol following the crash. Though he denied drinking, he allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the night. No field sobriety test was performed due to his injuries.
Witzenman, who remains hospitalized, was arraigned remotely through Lowell District Court. He faces several charges, including operating under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. A judge set his bail at $5,000 and ordered that he not drive, consume alcohol, or use drugs. He will also be subject to random substance screenings.
The Lowell Connector was shut down for nearly three hours as investigators processed the scene and cleared the wreckage.
This devastating crash has left a family grieving and the community shaken, as police continue their investigation into the fatal incident.