Christopher Filz, 19, of Shirley, faces a range of charges including motor vehicle homicide from a crash that killed one teen and injured two others last month. On Oct. 6 Filz was driving a 2001 Ford Mustang when he lost control while changing lanes on Interstate 190 in Leominster, state police said. The car went down an embankment and flipped over. Leominster firefighters extricated the trapped passengers.
Krystal Mello, a 16-year-old junior at Ayer Shirley Regional High School, died as a result of the crash. Two other 16-year-olds—a girl from Shirley and a boy from Harvard—were seriously injured.
Filz was arraigned Nov. 15 in Leominster District Court. According to the Worcester County district attorney’s office, he was charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation; motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation; and speeding and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He was also ordered not to drive and not to have any contact with witnesses or with the family of the victim. The case will resume on Jan. 5.
