Driver who killed 13 year-old girl and seriously injured two others, held, deemed dangerous

PLYMOUTH – The driver who allegedly was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he struck a car in Pembroke and killed a 13 year-old girl and seriously injured two others has been held and deemed dangerous, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

After an hour and a half of testimony today from three Pembroke Police officers and one Massachusetts State Trooper, Plymouth District Court Judge James Sullivan deemed Gregory Goodsell, 31, of Marshfield dangerous and he was held without bail. On Monday at his arraignment, Goodsell pleaded not guilty to one count of Manslaughter while Operating Under the Influence, and two counts of Operating Under the Influence Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Goodsell additionally pleaded not guilty to one count each of Possession of an Open Alcohol Container in a Motor Vehicle, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle, Marked Lanes Violation, Speeding, Failure to Stop/Yield at a Signal, and Improper Passing.

At 6:50 a.m. Sunday, Pembroke Police Dispatch received a call for a report of a two-car crash on Route 139 Pembroke at Church Street and Oak Street. Massachusetts State Police Dispatch reported that they were on scene of a two-car motor vehicle crash with injuries. Pembroke Police and Pembroke Fire and Ambulance responded, as did fire personnel from Hanover and Marshfield.

Upon arrival, first responders observed a white Subaru with three occupants that had sustained heavy front end damage. Across the roadway, a white Ford pickup truck which was operated by Goodsell, was fully turned around and also had heavy front end damage.

Through evidence and witness interviews, investigators determined that Goodsell was intoxicated and under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash. Inside the vehicle, police located a bottle of whiskey and a beer can. Goodsell was placed under arrest at the scene by Pembroke Police before he was transported to South Shore Hospital for evaluation.

Three people were extricated from the Subaru with severe injuries, the 50 year-old female driver and two 13 year-old females who were sitting in the backseat. All were transported to South Shore Hospital. The two 13 year-old females were later transported to Children’s Hospital in Boston for further treatment. At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, one of the 13 year-old female crash victims, Claire Zisserson, succumbed to her injuries.

The severity of the crash and accident scene closed the area to traffic for several hours while the Massachusetts State Police Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Pembroke Police investigated.

Goodsell is next scheduled to appear in court on February 10 for a probable cause hearing.