Easthampton man to be arraigned in connection with April incident in Northampton ***Updated***

Zachary Laviolette, 27, of Easthampton, is scheduled to be arraigned telephonically Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 9 a.m., in Northampton District Court on one count of Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation.

****UPDATE****Laviolette was arraigned and  released on his personal recognizance with conditions to refrain from alcohol with random screens, not to operate a motor vehicle, and he was ordered not to leave the Commonwealth without permission from the court. His next court date is July 30 for a pre-trial hearing.

On April 23, Northampton Police arrested Laviolette after the victim, Matthew Kolb, 24, of West Springfield, fell off the trunk of Laviolette’s moving vehicle and suffered serious injuries. The incident took place at approximately 2:56 p.m. in the parking lot of 168 Industrial Drive. Laviolette was originally charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol causing Serious Bodily Injury. 

Kolb, who was transported to the hospital, succumbed to his injuries and passed away on May 1. The Northampton Police have since upgraded the charge.  

Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in a state prison. A conviction carries a 15-year loss of license.

The case was investigated by the Northampton Police Department. 

Laviolette is presumed innocent.​