Somerville Man Pleads Not Guilty In Crash That Killed 19-Year-Old

SAUGUS, MA — A Somerville man has pleaded not guilty in connection with a head-on collision that killed a 19-year-old woman in Saugus.

William Leger, 35, faces charges of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, unarmed robbery, receiving a stolen vehicle (subsequent offense), operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license (subsequent offense), marked lanes violation, speeding and driving the wrong way on a state highway.

Authorities say Leger fled police in a stolen car after robbing a 7-Eleven in Saugus. He crashed head-on into a car driven by 19-year-old Ashley Forward, of Lynn, while speeding the wrong way down Route 107, the Essex District Attorney's office said.

Forward was pronounced dead at the scene. Leger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was arraigned by video Thursday.

A judge ordered Leger held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing June 17.

Previously: Family IDs 19-Year-Old Killed In Saugus Crash

Woman, 19, Killed After Suspect Fleeing Police Crashes In Saugus