Massachusetts teen charged in fatal crash that claimed the life of 16-year-old girl

A Massachusetts man was arraigned in District Court on Tuesday in connection with an October fatal crash that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

19-year-old Christopher Filz of Shirley was arraigned on charges of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, speeding and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

On October 6 just after 7:00 p.m., Massachusetts State Police Troopers at the Leominster Barracks received calls about a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 190 north in Leominster.

Authorities arrived on scene to find a 2001 Ford Mustang off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle went down an embankment and rolled over.

The Mustang, driven by Filz, had three passengers inside. The passengers were extricated by Leominster Firefighters. One of the passengers, 16-year-old Krystal Mello of Ayer, died as a result of the crash.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by a family member that has since been deactivated, “Krystal was a beautiful 16-year-old in 11th grade with such a vibrant loving soul with the best personality.” The page had raised over $18,000.

A 16-year-girl from Shirley and a 16-year-old male from Harvard were also injured in the crash and taken to a Worcester hospital.

Filz was ordered not to drive and to stay away and have no contact with witnesses and family of the victim.

The case was continued to January 5.

The crash was investigated by Leominster Police, Massachusetts State Police Troopers from the Leominster Barracks, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Melia is the prosecutor assigned to the case.