Somerville man arraigned in fatal crash that killed two teens
SOMERVILLE -- The driver charged in the death of a teenager in an alleged drunken driving accident was charged today in the death of a second teenager, who succumbed to her injuries over the weekend.
Kenneth W. Belew, 21, was arraigned in Somerville District Court today on two counts of negligent motor vehicle homicide by operation under the influence of alcohol, as well as operating under the influence, negligent operation, and speeding. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and he was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.
Police allegedly found Belew at the scene of the crash early Friday morning, with blood on his head and face.
“He was pulling his hair crying, screaming…’I killed her, I was driving, and I’m drunk,” Assistant District Attorney Ceara Mahoney said at the hearing, adding that Belew said, “I’m responsible for her death.”
Authorities found one of the passengers, a 16-year-old girl from Everett, in the arms of another passenger. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second girl, a 17-year-old from Somerville, was taken to the hospital, where she died of her injuries on Saturday.
Neither of the teens was wearing a seat belt, authorities said. They have not been identified.
Three other passengers were wearing their seat belts and sustained minor injuries.
According to Registry of Motor Vehicles records, Belew was granted a license in December 2007 and was cited less than a month later in Somerville for speeding, a marked lane violation, and failure to stop for police. In all, Belew has been cited seven times for incidents including speeding, lane violations, driving without an inspection sticker, and a seat belt infraction, the Globe reports today.
His license was reinstated after each of four suspensions, most recently on June 17 after he paid a fee, records show. In two instances, Belew passed classes to regain driving privileges, the Globe reports.
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