Officials ID driver accused of causing fatal Auburn head-on crash

AUBURN, Mass. — Officials in Auburn have identified the man they say caused a head-on crash that killed one person on Route 20 Thursday.

Auburn Police said Thursday afternoon that Route 20 was closed at Millbury Street and at School Street in both directions due to a motor vehicle crash involving at least 2 vehicles.

The Worcester District Attorney's office says an SUV crossed the double-yellow line on busy Route 20 Thursday afternoon and struck two other vehicles. A passenger in one of those vehicles was killed and the driver was injured and taken to a hospital.

Authorities say the driver of the SUV, who was also injured, tried to run away from the crash but was caught by police.

DeJesus Amaro is facing several charges including motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation.

The DA's office says Amaro has outstanding warrants and was placed in custody while being treated at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

He is set to be arraigned in Worcester District Court on Friday morning.

Tim Robidioux told Boston 25 News his other brother Michael was killed in the crash. Michael was a husband, father, grandfather, and the owner of Central Mass Towing in Auburn.

Tim says Michael was in the passenger seat when the crash happened.

Sources tell Boston 25 News this may have started after police got a call about a car possibly being stolen.

"From what I hear, it was a police chase. The suspect did something out of town, Sutton maybe, and he was running from the cops. I don't know how it escalated from across the lane to my brother," said Tim.

Tim says it's too much to handle right now.

"It's still fresh. It just happened today," he said. "If you met my brother, he's got a heart of gold. Now he's gone."

Surveillance cameras caught one suspect running away from the scene, but they were later arrested by state police K-9.

"You stole a car. You did a crime. Pull over and do your time. Don't take someone else's life. It always happens that way. The bad lives, the good guy dies," said Tim.

Massachusetts State Police are assisting in the investigation. Sources tell us there is cellphone video from a passerby who captured what happened moments before the crash.

Family and friends have launched a GoFundMe in his memory.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Cox Media Group