Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced that Bradford Casler, 55, of Newton was arraigned Monday in Middlesex Superior Court on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger in connection with the fatal crash that occurred at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant in Newton, according to Ryan’s office. Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered the defendant released on personal recognizance with the condition that he not drive a motor vehicle. The next court date in this case is Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, at 11 a.m. On that date, the court will hear arguments relative to the defendant’s motion to impound the Commonwealth’s statement of the case. “This was a tragic crash where two people lost their lives and seven others were seriously injured. The defendant was allegedly operating his vehicle at a speed which exceeded the speed limit when he crossed the marked lanes, went through a red light and struck two other vehicles before crashing into the front of the Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant,” said District Attorney Ryan. “The defendant did not apply the brakes to reduce his speed and failed to control his vehicle resulting in the collision.”
On March 1, 2016 at approximately 6:12 p.m. Bradford Casler was allegedly operating a Volkswagen Tiguan Sport Utility Vehicle traveling down Chestnut Street in Newton when he allegedly crossed over Washington Street colliding with two cars on Washington Street and ultimately traveling through the front of Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant.
