Lynnway Auto Auction, owner facing manslaughter charges for 2017 crash

WOBURN, Mass. — A Billerica auto auction and its operator have been charged with manslaughter in connection to a crash inside the building that killed five people in 2017.

After completing the investigation, DA Marian Ryan announced both Lynnway Auto Auction Incorporated and its operator, James Lamb, have been charged with manslaughter.

Three people were killed in the crash and two of the nine people injured died in the wake of what was called a "tragic accident" in May 2017.

"The indictments allege the company and Mr. Lamb are both responsible for not taking actions that could have prevented this tragedy," Ryan said in a news conference Thursday afternoon.

OSHA hit the company with two serious violations in 2014, citing the facility "failed to require the use of traffic control devices," putting employees at risk among moving vehicles.

MORE: 25 Investigates: Billerica auto auction, site of deadly crash, has history of serious injuries

"Obviously this has been a very difficult two years for [the victims]. I hope this helps in some fashion," Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost said. "We express our condolences to the families."

In the nearly two years since, the auto auction has faced lawsuits, fines and OSHA citations in relation to the crash.

According to Ryan, the company had been told to install safety provisions in the building that would have kept spectators and bidders from crossing in front of vehicles as they moved through the building.

"He signed a certification with OSHA that those changes would be made," Ryan said.

According to the DA's office, changes were not made and the company should be held responsible.

"He did not implement the safety measures that would’ve protected the pedestrians mingling and maneuvering between and around the moving vehicles like they were the day of the crash," Ryan said.

Ryan said the charges were new territory for her office.

"This marks the first time that our office has charged a corporation with manslaughter," Ryan said. "The indictments allege that the company and Mr. Lamb were criminally responsible for having consciously failed to take the appropriate actions to prevent this tragedy."

Ryan said the company could face only a $1,000 penalty per manslaughter charge -- up to $5,000 in this case -- but would face much harsher penalties under new statutes enacted since the crash occurred.

Lamb could face a maximum of 20 years in prison per count -- up to 100 in this case -- according to Ryan.

MORE: 5 dead, multiple injured after car crashes into Billerica auto auction

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