The woman accused in a pedestrian crash that killed two young children in Revere, Massachusetts last month said Thursday that she's "heartbroken" and offered a public apology to the family.
Autumn Harris, 42, of Beacon Hill was arrested following the Dec. 9 deadly crash that killed 5-year-old Adrianna Mejia-Rivera and her 2-month-old sister Natasha Nicole Mejia-Rivera. Adrianna died at the scene and Natasha later succumbed to her injuries at Massachusetts General Hospital.
She appeared in Chelsea District Court on Thursday for a pretrial conference, but her lawyer was not able to attend, so the hearing was continued until March 11. She is free on bail, and her pretrial conditions of release remain in place.
After leaving court, the Boston Globe said Harris spoke briefly with the media, saying "I'm heartbroken. I feel horrible... I'm sorry to the family."
Prosecutors say Harris told police she consumed one beer the afternoon of the deadly crash and had taken the sleep aid melatonin as well as a muscle relaxant.
She also allegedly told authorities she vaped CBD oil in the SUV involved in the crash and had only slept two hours before working all day. She told officials she may have fallen asleep while behind the wheel, authorities said.
Harris pleaded not guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation of a motor vehicle before Natasha died; she has not yet been charged in connection with the infant's death.
