Woman 'May Have Nodded Off' In Crash That Left 5-Year-Old Dead

REVERE, MA — The Beacon Hill woman who has been charged with driving her car into five pedestrians, killing a 5-year-old girl and putting her 2-month-old sister in intensive care, told police she may have fallen asleep behind the wheel after taking drugs, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Autumn Harris, 42, told police she "may have nodded off" after getting two hours of sleep the night before, taking flexeril to help fall asleep. They also said she said she had a beer earlier in the afternoon and vaped cannabis oil in the vehicle. She was unable to take a breath test.

Her attorney said Harris had back problems and takes prescribed medication, calling the crash an accident.

Harris was arraigned Monday in Chelsea District Court on charges of motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Police said additional charges may follow as the investigation unfolds; police are awaiting results of drug test results. She is being held on $10,000 bail and must remain drug- and alcohol-free.

Harris was behind the wheel when her Chevrolet Equinox veered off the road on Route 145 near the intersection of North Shore Road shortly before 5 p.m. The pedestrians were walking together on the grassy median strip.

The 5-year-old girl, Adrianna Mejia-Rivera, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 2-month-old sister was brought to MGH with life-threatening injuries and remains in the intensive care unit. Prosecutors said Monday she may not survive.

"There are no words to describe our sorrow for this innocent child and her family," Suffolk County District Attorney John Pappas said. "We will follow the evidence wherever it leads and we will do our level best to speak on their behalf in the wake of this devastating tragedy."

Among others injured were a 2-year-old child and an adult woman was brought to MGH with minor injuries. A fifth victim, a 27-year-old female, was brought to MGH with non-life threatening injuries.

Police are not confirming the relationships between the victims.

There was a passenger in the Equinox, a 30-year-old Boston woman, who was also transported to MGH with potential minor injuries.

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