LEOMINSTER — A 19-year-old Westminster man who was the driver in a fatal crash off a Route 2 overpass on March 20 has been charged in connection to the crash.
Brian A. Ramirez Nunez was arraigned in Leominster District Court last week on charges of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, as well as negligent operation of a motor vehicle and was cited for speeding and a marked lanes violation.
A passenger in the car, Oakmont Regional High School student Travis Teixeira of Ashburnham died from injuries suffered in the crash.
In the crash, the car Nunez was driving is reported to have gone off a section of Route 2 in Leominster, crashing through the guardrail at about 9 p.m., falling down to Nashua Street, which ran below the highway at that point. Three people were reportedly taken to the hospital as a result of the crash, Teixeira, Nunez and a third male teenager.
Responding officers said they saw a large debris field up on Route 2, and a damaged pickup truck on Nashua Street, below the overpass.
Upon arriving they saw Nunez and the third teenager sitting on the curb, under the overpass, with Teixeira still in the pickup truck.
Police said witnesses told them that the pickup truck “swerved aggressively and cut off another vehicle, which led to the subsequent crash.”
One witness “stated that he saw the truck trying to pass another vehicle on the right, then shot off to the left in the median.”
Nunez reportedly admitted he was the driver of the truck, and told police he was driving along Route 2 near the State Police barracks and Starbucks, when another vehicle came from the onramp on the right to merge onto the highway. He said he attempted to move the truck to left, to allow the car to merge but there was another car on his left, preventing him from moving over to the left lane. At that point, he was forced to move back into the right lane, tried again to get into the left lane and lost control of the vehicle.
A witness stated that another car had possibly cut off the pickup truck, moving from the left lane of Route 2 over to the right to take the exit Interstate 190. He said that while he thought the pickup truck may have been speeding, he saw it swerve to avoid the car and go up in the air, not striking any other vehicles.
The third teen told police he “did not know how fast they were going prior to the crash, but it was fast enough to make him nervous.” He also mentioned that the roadway was wet.
The third teen told police that they were on their way to Boston as Nunez was a student at Suffolk University and they were going to spend the night at his dorm room. He said he and Teixeira had consumed alcoholic drinks of Twisted Tea, but that Nunez had not had any alcohol, as he was the designated driver. However, Nunez told police he had smoked one time from a marijuana E-pen earlier in the night, which was something he would not normally do.
Police said a subsequent investigation of the pickup truck’s computer revealed the truck was going 84 mph just before the crash. Police said, “the weather was rainy and the roadway was wet. As a result of the excessive speed, marked lane violation and inability to maintain proper lane of travel, Ramirez Nunez crashed the Ford into a concrete base and metallic guardrail, sending the Ford airborne and falling 22 feet down onto Nashua Street, ultimately leading to Teixeira’s fatal injuries.”
According to Teixeira’s obituary, with the Wright Roy Funeral Home, at Oakmont “he was admired for his intelligence, determination, and the natural way he led by example. Travis was truly a light in this world. He was a leader, a mentor, and a source of encouragement to so many. He had a heart for helping others and was deeply involved in his community. Through his work at Blueprint (restaurant) and in Extended Day, Travis gave his time and energy to supporting those around him, always willing to step up, lend a hand, and make a difference. He was the kind of young man people looked up to — not only for what he accomplished, but for the kindness, compassion, and strength he carried every day. … Though Travis was taken far too soon, the legacy of his kindness, leadership, and love will continue to live on in the many lives he touched. He will forever be remembered and deeply missed.”
A Go Fund Page Me page was initially set up to help pay for expenses, but seems to have been taken down at this point, evidently having raised sufficient funds.
The Blueprint New American Bar and Grill wrote on Facebook, “The Blueprint/Tavern family would like to extend our gratitude to our whole community that has shown up this past week in every way possible. The heartfelt words of support, hugs and understanding as we try to navigate this difficult time has truly meant more to us than you know. The outpouring of love and support by everyone, even those who never knew Travis personally has been nothing short of amazing. Travis’ smile lit up a room and he truly touched our lives in such a positive way. Our hearts are broken and his presence is already missed so much.”
An online commenter said, “Travis was a wonderful young man that died in a tragic crash Friday night. Travis was the guy everyone wanted to know, and he would always stop to say hello. Many of you know Travis from Blueprint Restaurant in Westminster, we would deliver your meal to your table with that big smile and hair everyone wanted. Travis will definitely be missed by everyone that ever met him.”
Nunez was given a $1,000 cash, $10,000 surety bail, with conditions he not contact the victim’s family, that he surrender his passport and driver’s license, and not drive.
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