AMESBURY — On Monday, May 4, 2026, at approximately 9:09 p.m., Amesbury police attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Hillside Avenue, but the driver fled after initially pulling over, and a police pursuit ensued.
According to Amesbury Police Chief Craig Bailey, within approximately two to three miles of the initial stop, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Elm Street and Route 110.
During the crash, a backseat passenger was ejected from the vehicle and then struck by another motor vehicle, Chief Bailey said. The passenger, a 24-year-old Lawrence man, later died from his injuries.
The driver, 18-year-old Yenciel Soto, of Lawrence, was charged with the following violations/offenses:
- Speeding
- Marked lanes violation
- Fail to stop for a red light
- Fail to stop for police
- Driving on a suspended driver’s license
- Trafficking in heroin
- Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
- Vandalize property
- Motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation
Two passengers, 24-year-old Felix Agramonte of Lawrence and 29-year-old Irna Soto-Custodio of Lawrence, were each charged with trafficking in heroin.
Chief Bailey said Soto, Agramonte, and Soto-Custodio were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash.