A jury in Lowell has acquitted 27-year-old **Donovan Almonte** of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation in connection with a tragic crash that resulted in the death of **David Dumais II**, a 38-year-old motorcyclist, in September 2022. The verdict was reached late on **October 6, 2023**, following closing arguments delivered by defense attorney **Lisa Wagner**, who portrayed Almonte as an ordinary driver caught in an unfortunate accident.
The trial began on **October 4, 2023**, at the **Lowell District Court**, more than three years after the collision. On **September 25, 2022**, Almonte was driving his **2022 Toyota Corolla** when he attempted to turn left from **Groton Street** onto **Rogers Street**. Dumais, riding his **Honda CB1100**, was unable to stop in time and collided with Almonte’s vehicle.
Wagner urged the jury to view the incident as a tragic accident rather than a criminal act. “Sometimes you can do all the right things, and bad things still happen,” she said during her closing remarks.
The jury, consisting of four women and two men, deliberated for less than an hour before delivering their not guilty verdict. If convicted, Almonte faced a potential sentence of up to **two and a half years** in prison. Upon hearing the verdict, Almonte expressed relief and embraced his legal team, while Dumais’ family left the courtroom quietly.
**Katlyn Dumais**, the victim’s widow, expressed her disappointment with the outcome. “The verdict didn’t go as we had hoped,” she stated, emphasizing the dangers of driving and the loss suffered by her family. “A life was still taken prematurely and a family is left to continue to mourn the loss of a beautiful person who did not deserve to be taken away so soon.”
The crash occurred around **14:45** as Almonte turned his vehicle into the intersection. A driver in a white SUV, who had slowed to allow Almonte to proceed, testified that the road was clear at the time. This witness reported making eye contact with Almonte and signaling him through. However, she later heard the motorcycle approaching and noted Dumais’ bike struck Almonte’s car after he began turning.
**Ronald Reid**, a former officer with the **Lowell Police Department**, testified about the scene, stating that Dumais was unconscious and gasping for air when he arrived. **Dr. Richard Atkinson**, from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, confirmed that Dumais died from blunt force injuries, indicating that his blood tested negative for alcohol.
Further testimony revealed that Almonte remained at the scene after the crash, appearing upset and cooperative during police questioning. **Lowell Police Detective Socrates Deno** confirmed that Almonte described the incident as unexpected, noting he had initially seen the SUV stop to let him through before the motorcycle collided with his vehicle.
The prosecution argued that Almonte’s failure to yield was the primary cause of the crash. **Middlesex Assistant District Attorneys Madison Bush and Edward Kim** highlighted that regardless of Dumais’ speed, Almonte’s actions led directly to the collision. Bush stated, “A fatal choice, a negligent choice,” as she pointed to Almonte during her closing arguments.
In contrast, the defense called upon crash reconstruction expert **Christopher Jacques**, who disputed the prosecution’s findings regarding Dumais’ speed, suggesting it may have been as high as **53 mph**. This testimony was met with skepticism during cross-examination, as Bush questioned Jacques’ qualifications and his reliance on information provided by the prosecution.
Judge **William Travaun Bailey** instructed the jury on the necessary elements for a conviction, emphasizing that they must find Almonte’s actions had created a foreseeable risk of death or serious injury. Ultimately, the jury’s decision reflected their interpretation of the evidence and the tragic nature of the incident.
As the case concludes, it serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of traffic collisions and the ongoing impact on families affected by such tragedies.
