CHELMSFORD — A driver accused of striking a 75‑year‑old woman in the parking lot of Atrius Health — leaving her with serious injuries — was in the midst of a severe mental health crisis at the time of the crash, according to details revealed during his arraignment on Thursday in Lowell District Court.
The victim, identified as Irene LePage, of Chelmsford, remains in critical condition after suffering a severe head injury in the Wednesday hit‑and‑run, a collision that sent her roughly 30 feet from the point of impact.
Judge Mark Fabiano ordered that the driver, 37‑year‑old Steven Muller, of Clinton — who witnesses said was screaming and talking to himself shortly before the crash — be committed to Bridgewater State Hospital, a medium‑security psychiatric facility for defendants undergoing mental‑health evaluations.
The decision aligned with the recommendations of the prosecutor, defense attorney, a court‑appointed psychologist, and three of Muller’s loved ones who appeared in the courtroom gallery.
Before the arraignment began, Steven Muller’s father, Milton Muller, tearfully addressed the judge and asked that his son be placed under a Section 12 mental‑health commitment.
When Fabiano asked why he was making the request, the elder Muller paused, fighting off tears, before saying, “Because my son … he needs help. He needs a lot of help.”
Milton Muller told the court he feared for both his son’s safety and the safety of others, explaining that Steven Muller had previously threatened suicide and experiences “episodes” in which he “flies off the handle.” He added he was afraid his son would harm himself if not placed in a secure treatment setting.
The hit‑and‑run occurred about 24 hours before the arraignment, at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the health‑care facility at 228 Billerica Road.
During Thursday’s hearing, Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Sheehan McCarthy outlined the chaotic sequence of events using information from the Chelmsford Police Department incident report.
She told Fabiano that the details were being presented to illustrate what she described as Steven Muller’s “deteriorating mental health.”
According to McCarthy, Steven Muller was at Atrius Health with his family for an appointment. Multiple witnesses observed him behaving erratically before, during, and after the crash.
“Several witnesses … reported that behavior included rambling, talking nonsense to himself and others, making references to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and clicking heels,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy told the court that Steven Muller abruptly stormed out of the Atrius Health building, at which point witnesses saw him “screaming, continuing to talk to himself, laughing maniacally to himself, and disparaging his children.”
He was then seen getting into a black SUV “while continuing to scream and laugh,” McCarthy said. As he reversed out of his parking space, he is alleged to have nearly struck a mother and three small children who were walking behind the vehicle.
“He then accelerated so fast that his tires screeched and it was at that time that Mrs. LePage was struck,” McCarthy said.
She added that Steven Muller did not stop after hitting the woman and instead drove off “with such vigor that he struck another motor vehicle that was driving while he was fleeing.”
It was reported in an emergency radio broadcast that when first responders arrived on scene they found LePage was unresponsive but breathing. Within minutes of the initial call, a MedFlight helicopter was requested. She was transported by ambulance to Lowell General Hospital and later transferred by air to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington.
McCarthy said Steven Muller’s SUV, meanwhile, was located about two hours after he struck LePage, found on Boston Road in Billerica.
At some point after the crash, Steven Muller contacted a friend and asked to be picked up, McCarthy said.
“Based on that friend’s observation of the defendant … that person took him to the hospital and checked him in,” she added, referencing Steven Muller’s continued erratic behavior.
The friend then contacted police, who subsequently took Steven Muller into custody in Lowell.
He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of personal injury, leaving the scene of property damage, speeding, and two counts of failing to stop/yield.
A licensed psychologist who evaluated Steven Muller before the arraignment told the court she had spoken with both him and his family in an effort to determine whether he was competent to stand trial.
She said that during her meeting with him, “his thinking was so disorganized, exhibiting a lot of paranoid beliefs,” and that he did not trust her or his attorney, Brian Shea. She said she believed he was potentially in an “acute psychotic state,” which she described as posing a risk to others.
Because of the severity of his symptoms, the psychologist said she was unable to form an opinion on his competency and recommended that he go to Bridgewater State Hospital to undergo further evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.
McCarthy asked Fabiano to set bail at $25,000 cash and to impose conditions requiring Steven Muller to stay away from and have no contact with LePage, as well as to stay away from Atrius Health, and not operate any vehicles.
The prosecutor also requested that he undergo a mental‑health evaluation within 30 days.
“The defendant has clearly already proven himself to be a flight risk … but most significantly, the commonwealth is concerned with the mental health of the defendant and its primary concern to return to court is greatly impeded by that status,” McCarthy said.
Shea asked the judge to set bail “without prejudice,” meaning the defense would be able to return to court to argue for a different bail amount at a later date.
Shea also asked that Steven Muller be committed to Bridgewater State Hospital and undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. In addition to the competency review, he requested that his client receive an assessment of his criminal responsibility — an evaluation used to determine whether a defendant was legally sane at the time of the alleged offense.
Fabiano ultimately set bail at $10,000 and ordered Muller transported to Bridgewater State Hospital for the evaluations.
He is scheduled to return to court on April 14.
After the arraignment, a tearful Milton Muller left the courtroom with several family members. They declined to comment.
Hours after the hit-and-run on Wednesday, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan praised the staff of Atrius Health for their treatment of LePage.
He noted that when firefighters arrived on scene, medical staff were already providing immediate care to the woman, who he said had sustained “serious traumatic injuries.”
“Their prompt actions and continued assistance were extremely beneficial and played an important role in the patient’s care prior to transport,” Ryan said in a message to The Sun, adding that the Chelmsford Fire Department “is very thankful for the quick response, professionalism, and immediate medical attention” of the staff.
“Their efforts in those critical moments were greatly appreciated and contributed positively to the patient’s treatment,” he added.
Individuals in emotional distress or contemplating suicide are urged to seek assistance. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 in Massachusetts, providing free and confidential support. Contact the lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org for online chat services.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
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