A Cambridge woman was arraigned Tuesday on charges including motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence (OUI) following a crash Friday night that killed another Cambridge resident, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
Sosa Samura, 41, allegedly struck a vehicle driven by Susana Casillo, 51, at the intersection of Market and Columbia streets shortly after 11:38 p.m. Oct. 16. Samura had been involved in an earlier collision on Main Street.
According to a statement Wednesday from District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge’s Acting Police Commissioner Pauline Wells, Samura allegedly backed into another vehicle on Main Street, then fled the scene. The driver of that vehicle followed Samura as she allegedly traveled through several streets at high speed, eventually driving the wrong way down Market Street and striking Casillo’s vehicle at the intersection with Columbia Street.
Responding officers allegedly observed that Samura had glassy eyes and slurred speech, and detected the odor of alcohol, according to the statement. Samura was arrested at the scene and transported to an area hospital, while Casillo was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Samura faces 10 charges. These include motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, second-offense operating under the influence, operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of property damage, reckless operation, speeding and improper operation of a motor vehicle.
Samura pleaded not guilty to the charges at her Oct. 20 arraignment and was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to court records cited by MassLive. Documents associated with the case have been withheld from public access until Oct. 26, the outlet reported.
The circumstances of both collisions remain under investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Cambridge Police and the Massachusetts State Police Crash Analysis Reconstruction Section.
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.