A Norwell, Massachusetts teenager has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and multiple other OUI offenses after an accident that took the life of his friend. Traveling home from Scituate during his college spring break, William Ecclestone, 18, lost control of his blue Chrysler Pacifica on a densely populated stretch of Prospect Street in Norwell. The car struck a large tree, knocked down part of a fence, flipped over and landed on its roof in the front yard of 110 Prospect Street. According to New England Cable News, two neighbors said that the accident was so horrific that they wish they had not come outside to see it. You can see a full report in NECN's video:
According to the Norwell Mariner, Ecclestone sustained minor injuries and was able to climb out of the car himself, but his friend and neighbor, Ryan O'Donnell, 18, was not as lucky. O'Donnell was thrown from the car during the crash. He was treated by paramedics at the scene, but died of his injuries at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. The young men had graduated from Norwell High School last year and were in their first year of college.
At the scene of the accident, Norwell police officers gave Ecclestone two field sobriety tests after noticing that his breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. Police asked Ecclestone to count backwards and recite the alphabet, and upon judging that he had failed the tests, police arrested him for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and took him to South Shore Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Ecclestone is charged with OUI, manslaughter by motor vehicle, vehicular homicide by negligent operation, reckless driving, a marked lanes violation and speeding. He is currently being held in the Plymouth County Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail after an arraignment in Hingham District Court March 8. He will appear in court March 22. Police are looking into how Ecclestone acquired the alcohol since he is underage, and investigation into the accident continues.
Massachusetts drunk driving attorney Michael DelSignore represents clients facing serious traffic or criminal charges in Hingham District Court, including OUI charges. The Law Offices of Michael DelSignore has offices conveniently located in Stoughton, New Bedford, Westborough, and Attleboro. Call for a free consultation at 508-455-4755 or send an email.
