Sometimes a single Saturday morning changes everything for a community. In Lawrence and Methuen, that morning was November 2, 2024. Most people were just starting their weekend, but by 6:00 a.m., a tragic chain of events on I-495 had already claimed two lives. At the center of the legal firestorm that followed is Katrina Nguyen Lawrence MA, a 26-year-old whose name has since become synonymous with a case that touches on every nerve in the justice system—from reckless driving to the heartbreak of hit-and-run fatalities.
The Morning of the Incident
It was barely light out. Four men from Worcester were headed to work in a 2015 Ford F-250 pickup truck. They were just doing what thousands of people do every day—commuting. Then, near the Route 213 interchange in Methuen, things went south.
Prosecutors allege that Katrina Nguyen, driving a 2014 Acura MDX, collided with the pickup. The impact wasn't just a fender bender. It was violent enough to send the heavy Ford truck careening off the road, into the median, and straight into a tree. The damage was catastrophic. When first responders arrived, they found a scene of twisted metal and trapped passengers.
The Victims
We shouldn't talk about the legalities without mentioning the people lost.
- Celso Glayson Dias, 37, died at the scene.
- Kenny Roberto de Oliveira Alves Milanez, 41, passed away later at Lawrence General Hospital.
Two other men in the truck survived but faced a long road of physical and emotional recovery. Honestly, it’s the kind of news that makes you hug your family a little tighter before they head out the door.
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Why Katrina Nguyen Lawrence MA Faced Serious Charges
The crash was bad enough, but what happened next is why this case stayed in the headlines for months. According to the Essex County District Attorney’s office, Nguyen didn't stay at the scene.
Police say she exited the highway, abandoned her Acura, and actually called an Uber to get home. It wasn't until about six hours later, around noon, that she walked into the Lawrence Police Department to turn herself in.
By the time she appeared in Lawrence District Court, the list of charges was long:
- Two counts of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation.
- Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.
- Leaving the scene of personal injury and property damage.
- Operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
During her arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Fleet dropped a bombshell that shifted public perception even further. She alleged that Nguyen had been drinking at a lounge and a Halloween party the night before, continuing into the early hours of Saturday. Even when she turned herself in six hours later, prosecutors claimed she still smelled of alcohol.
The Legal Battle and Superior Court
The case eventually moved to Essex County Superior Court in Salem. This is where things got even more serious. When a case moves to Superior Court, it usually means the potential penalties are much higher.
Nguyen’s defense attorney, James Edward Klotz, argued that while the situation was tragic, his client’s side of the story needed to be heard. Nguyen reportedly told investigators she saw a white truck next to her and remembered the airbags going off, but she claimed she couldn't recall exactly how the crash happened.
Bail was set at $200,000. For a 26-year-old from Lawrence, that's a massive sum. Her family was in the courtroom, visibly devastated, which reminds us that these tragedies have ripple effects on everyone involved, not just the victims’ families.
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Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
People in Lawrence and Methuen have been vocal about I-495 for a long time. If you’ve driven that stretch near Route 213, you know it can feel like a racetrack. Locals told reporters after the crash that speeding is basically the norm there.
But this wasn't just a "dangerous road" issue. This was a "choices" issue. The fact that Nguyen was allegedly driving on a suspended license with a history of traffic violations—including driving without insurance—sparked a lot of anger. It brings up the question: how do we keep habitual offenders off the road before something like this happens?
What’s Happening Now?
As of early 2026, the legal proceedings regarding Katrina Nguyen Lawrence MA continue to move through the Massachusetts court system. These cases never move as fast as the public wants them to. There are forensic reports to analyze, Uber records to subpoena, and witness testimonies to coordinate.
The wives of the men who died, Luciana Milanez and Lorena Santana, have been present at hearings, often speaking through translators. Their grace has been remarkable. One of them even mentioned praying for Nguyen while still demanding justice. It’s a level of forgiveness most people can’t even imagine.
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Key Takeaways and Actions
When we look at a case like this, it’s easy to feel helpless, but there are actual things we can learn and do.
- Check your own coverage: This crash involved someone with a history of no insurance. Make sure your "Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist" coverage is high enough to protect you if you're hit by someone who shouldn't be on the road.
- Don't ignore the "small" stuff: A suspended license often starts with unpaid tickets or minor infractions. If your license is flagged, don't risk it. The legal consequences of a crash while suspended are exponentially worse.
- The Uber Alternative: The irony in this case is that an Uber was allegedly used after the crash. Using one before could have saved two lives and kept a young woman out of a prison cell.
- Advocate for Road Safety: If you live in the Merrimack Valley, support local initiatives for increased patrols on I-495 and better lighting near the Methuen interchanges.
This case is a stark reminder that the "six-hour window" after a crash doesn't hide the truth—it often just adds more charges to the sheet. Justice for the families of Celso Dias and Kenny Milanez remains the primary focus of the Lawrence and Salem courtrooms as the trial dates approach.