Lynnway Auto Auction Crash: Fifth Victim Dies

BILLERICA, MA — A fifth person has died after a car auction worker accidentally drove into a crowd in Billerica at the Lynnway Auto Auction in early May, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Ruben Espaillat, 55 of Methuen, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Police Chief Daniel Rosa confirmed in a statement. Espaillat died Saturday at Lahey Hospital following injuries sustained in the crash.

The crash happened May 3 at the Lynnway Auto Auction. Police said an auction worker who had a suspended license accidentally drove into a crowd, killing three almost immediately and injuring 10 others. The three people killed were Leezandra Aponte, 36, of Lowell, and Brenda Lopez, 48, and Pantaleon Santos, 49, both of Rhode Island. A fourth victim, Elliott Rowlands, 55, of Bourne, died earlier this week.

The driver, who is in his 70s, told WHDH-7News that the car "accelerated on its own." The driver, who declined to give his name, added he's "very, very sorry that it happened.”

Authorities have not identified the driver.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, the Billerica Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police CARS unit.

Photo: The scene of a deadly crash in Billerica May 3, 2017 at the Lynnway Auto Auction. (Credit: WHDH/7News)