CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The driver of a car that crashed into a house in Chicopee last month killing his own 13-year-old brother was arraigned in court Thursday morning.
Ste’fen Baulkman of Holyoke was in Chicopee District Court arraigned on charges of operating under the influence manslaughter, operating under influence causing serious bodily injury, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was ordered held on $50,000 bail and is due back in court on May 19th. He is being held for at least 90 days due to an open firearm case.
According to the Hampden District Attorney’s office, Baulkman was driving a car on March 25th. Chicopee Police tried to pull the car over after witnessing it speeding on Broadway Street. Baulkman then allegedly drove away and crashed into a home on Montgomery Street.
His younger brother, 13-year-old Da’Vant Byrd of Holyoke was also in the car. The DA’s office says he died when the car burst into flames after the crash, two other passengers survived. Joe Lucia was hit by the car inside the home and taken to Baystate Medical Center for serious injuries.
This investigation is being conducted by 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.
