SAUGUS, MA. — The Saugus Police Department is investigating with other agencies after a suspect in a convenience store robbery allegedly fled police and caused a head-on crash that killed another motorist.
At 10:49 a.m. Wednesday, Saugus Police were dispatched to 7-Eleven, 386 Lincoln Ave., for a report of an unarmed robbery. While en route, a description of the suspect’s vehicle was relayed to officers, and a Saugus Police officer subsequently located the vehicle traveling east on Ballard Street.
The officer then attempted to stop the suspect, who fled and led the officer on a brief pursuit. Police immediately terminated the pursuit when the suspect turned onto Route 107 and began traveling south in the northbound lanes.
Approximately 1/2 mile south, the suspect’s vehicle collided with another vehicle. The operator of that vehicle, Ashley Forward, 19, succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the crash.
William Leger, 35, was arrested on scene and transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Charges against him are currently being sought by Massachusetts State Police.
“A mother shouldn’t be burying a child,” Michelle Luongo, Ashley’s mother told WHDH. “She’s too young for this, she was going to go so far.”
“She was taken so early. Why didn’t she have a chance to fight for her life? Why? Now I have to tell my 10-year-old that the sister she looks up to and wants to be like is not around anymore.”
The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police, Saugus Police and the Essex District Attorney’s Office.
