CHICOPEE — Stefen Baulkman, 19, of Holyoke, has been arrested in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred on March 25 in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Baulkman has been charged with operating under the influence manslaughter, operating under influence causing serious bodily injury, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
The crash resulted in the death of Da’Vant Byrd, 13, of Holyoke, who was the younger brother of Stefen Baulkman.
A resident of the home suffered serious injuries after the vehicle, allegedly operated by Baulkman, crashed into it.
According to Chicopee Police, the incident occurred on Saturday, March 25, at approximately 2:43 a.m.
Police observed a motor vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Broadway Street in Chicopee.
The vehicle was followed onto Montgomery Street where a traffic stop was conducted.
As a member of the Chicopee Police Department approached the vehicle, it took off in a northerly direction at a high rate of speed remaining on Montgomery Street.
The patrol officer returned to the cruiser and began traveling in the last known direction of the vehicle on Montgomery Street but had lost sight of it.
The officer located the vehicle in the vicinity of the 1000 block of Montgomery Street.
He observed that the vehicle struck an exterior wall of a residential home, ending up inside the residence.
The vehicle quickly caught fire and spread into the residence, engulfing the home in flames a short time later.
Inside the car there were four occupants, a driver and three passengers, ages 19, 18, 17, and 13.
First responders were able to extricate three of the passengers from the vehicle and transport them to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of visible minor injuries.
The fourth passenger was unable to be freed prior to the vehicle becoming fully engulfed by the fire.
As a result of the crash and subsequent fire, he did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A resident of the home, who was struck by the vehicle, was inside the room when the vehicle crashed through the wall.
The resident was able to be extricated by first responders from the crash and transported to Baystate Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries that were sustained during the crash.
All other occupants of the home were able to exit safely before the structure was consumed by the fire.
Baulkman was arraigned today in Chicopee District Court. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.
At the Commonwealth’s request, his bail from an open firearm case was revoked resulting in him being held for at least 90 days.
His next scheduled court date is on May 19, 2023.
