Woman released on personal recognizance concerning head-on crash that killed Massachusetts mother, fundraiser for Karen Read, Aidan Kearney

SOUTHBOROUGH – An Ashland woman was arraigned in Westborough District Court today in connection with a fatal crash on Turnpike Road in Southborough that took place in February of this year.

According to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Abigail Throckmorton was arraigned on charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, driving the wrong way on a state highway, marked lanes violation, and speeding.

On February 20, 2026, around 3:00 a.m., Southborough Police Department received calls about a serious motor vehicle crash on Turnpike Road (Route 9 East). First responders arrived to find a two-vehicle crash.

A preliminary investigation suggested that the vehicle driven by Throckmorton had been traveling the wrong way prior to the collision. The driver of the other vehicle, 37-year-old Crystal Johnson Clementi, died as a result of the crash.

Throckmorton was released on personal recognizance with conditions that she not operate a motor vehicle, remain drug and alcohol free with random screenings, and stay in Massachusetts. The case is continued to June 30 for a pretrial conference.

A GoFundMe fundraiser created shortly after the crash stated that Clementi left behind a husband and son.

“Crystal was such a loving soul and would do anything for anyone, without hesitation. Crystal was one of the most amazing humans to ever walk the earth. She was strong, bold in her beliefs, she stood for what was right, fought for the people she loved, and loved deeply. Our family will forever be grateful that we were able to have 37 beautiful years loving, and knowing her. We are devastated and will miss her so deeply.”

Clementi had beaten cancer and was known in the area for helping raise legal defense funds for Karen Read and Aidan Kearney.

The crash was investigated by the Southborough Police Department, the Central
Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CMLEC), and Massachusetts State Police Detectives
assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.