CHICOPEE — A two-car collision late Thursday night on Memorial Drive has resulted in the death of a local man, authorities confirmed.
Chicopee Police responded to the crash at 11:25 p.m. near the 1200 block of Memorial Drive at the intersection with Jamrog Drive, where they discovered two vehicles had been involved in a serious accident.
The driver of one car, later identified as 59-year-old James Menard of Chicopee, was transported to Baystate Medical Center in critical condition.
Menard succumbed to his injuries on Friday.
Andrew Wilkins, 37, of Springfield, the driver of the second vehicle, was arrested at the scene on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of personal injury, and speeding.
Wilkins was arraigned in Chicopee District Court on July 26, where his bail was set at $7,500.
As a condition of his release, Wilkins is required to wear an alcohol monitor.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and is being conducted by the Chicopee Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni expressed his condolences to the family of Mr. Menard during this difficult time.
