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Turners Falls man to be arraigned on motor vehicle homicide and other charges in connection with Oct. 4 crash

Posted on: October 21, 2020 - 2:10pm

George Cortina, 62, of ​Turners Falls, is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 26 in Greenfield District Court on  motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of drugs and other charges in connection with an Oct. 4 crash that claimed the life of Jonathan Rohrs, 41, of Acton.

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 4,  the Greenfield Police Department responded to a two-car crash on the Route 2 bypass in Greenfield near the 51.6 mile marker.  Police determined that a Ford Explorer crossed over the centerline into the westbound lane of Route 2 and struck a Toyota Yaris. 

Rohrs, who was driving the Toyota, and a dog that was in the car, did not survive the crash. Cortina and a passenger were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.  

Members of the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, MSP Crime Scene Services and MSP Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section responded to assist the Greenfield Police with the investigation.  

In addition to the motor vehicle homicide charge, Cortina faces the following charges:

  • Operating Under the Influence of Drugs Causing Serious Bodily Injury
  • Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, Second Offense
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Possession of a Class A Controlled Substance (heroin)
  • Marked Lanes Violation (civil offense)