Shirley teen pleads not guilty to charges in crash that killed Krystal Mello

WORCESTER — A not-guilty plea was entered Friday in Superior Court on behalf of a 19-year-old Shirley man accused of negligently driving a vehicle in a crash that killed 16-year-old Krystal Mello of Ayer.

Christopher Filz was released on personal recognizance Friday and is next scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference May 25.

Filz is believed to have been the operator of the 2001 Ford Mustang that lost control Oct. 6 while three other teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 were passengers.

A Worcester Superior Court indictment for Filz was returned Feb. 16.

Mello was one of the passengers in the Mustang. According to authorities, the car was traveling north on Interstate 190 in Leominster when the driver lost control near Exit 19 (Route 2/Mechanic Street).

The car swerved out of the left lane, flipped and landed on its roof on an embankment.

Mello and two other teens were trapped in or under the car, while one person was able to free themself.

Filz was transported to Leominster Hospital. A 16-year-old girl from Shirley and a 16-year-old boy from Harvard were brought to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

Police considered excessive speed a possible factor.

Mello, a junior at Ayer Shirley Regional High School, was remembered as a "vibrant living soul" by friends and faculty of the school.

Filz faces charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent driving, motor vehicle homicide by reckless driving, negligent driving of a motor vehicle and two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Christopher Filz pleads not guilty in crash that killed Krystal Mello