August 1, 2022 -Chicopee- On Friday, July 29, 2022 at approximately  11:30 a.m.,  members of the Chicopee Police Department were dispatched to area of  Montgomery and Grattan Streets for a reported vehicle collision.  

It appears a Chevy Impala was struck by a Dodge Ram on Montgomery Street while attempting to exit a gas station.

The operator of the Impala, Mr. Rafael Martinez, 55, of Springfield, was seriously injured and pronounced deceased at the scene.

A passenger in the Impala, Ms. Luz Martinez, 75, of Springfield, suffered significant injuries and passed away while being transported to the hospital.  

The operator of the Dodge Ram, Demian Ward, 24, of Fort Worth, Texas, has been arrested and charged with; Motor Vehicle Homicide (2 Counts), and Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle. He is expected to be arraigned today in Chicopee District Court. 

This is an on-going investigation being conducted by the Chicopee Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni extends his sympathies to both Mr. Martinez’s and Ms. Martinez’s families.