GLOUCESTER — An 81-year-old Reading man was arraigned in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on June 30 on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge along Route 128 in Gloucester.
According to a statement from the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Laurence Hayes, 81, of Reading, was charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation as well as two civil motor vehicle infractions.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Hayes pleaded not guilty in Gloucester District Court before Judge Michael A. Patten and was released on personal recognizance with conditions that included home confinement with GPS monitoring and a no-driving order.
Authorities allege that Hayes, the sole occupant of a 2020 Honda CRV, was driving north in the southbound lane when he collided head-on with a 2011 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was operated by a 19-year-old woman and carried three passengers—another 19-year-old woman and two 18-year-old men, all from Gloucester. All individuals involved were transported to area hospitals. One of the Corolla’s passengers, 18-year-old Christopher Dailey of Gloucester, died on July 4 from injuries sustained in the crash.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the incident in conjunction with Massachusetts State Police Troop A Detectives, the Massachusetts State Police Danvers Barracks, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Hayes’ next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for September 23, 2025.
