A second man was arraigned Wednesday in the death of a pregnant woman killed after her car was struck by an apparent drag racer on the Lowell Connector.
Angel Nieves, 24, was charged with operating after a suspended license, operating to endanger, operating an unregistered car and speeding. He was in court on an unrelated motor vehicle charge, for which his bail was revoked since he had been ordered not to drive. Bail on the new charges was set at $2,500, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 3, Nieves was drag racing with Carlos Rodriguez, 18, when Rodriguez lost control of his car and struck the median.
His car went airborne and landed on another vehicle, before striking a third car driven by Deborah Hornberger of Leominster, who later died at a hospital.
Rodriguez was charged Tuesday with manslaughter, drag racing, speeding and marked lanes violations. He remains hospitalized with serious injuries and has not been arrested.
Carlos is still in the hospital. He is in critical condition. I’m very clost to him and his family. Every one who knew Carlos, knows he is one the most nicest people you could ever know! He just made a mistake. It’s not like he plan all this to happen. Yes, maybe he should of though before he took action, but every one makes mistakes. Every one needs to stop with there nasty comments and get off his back. I’m sick of walking into the stores and hearing voices saying “oh, that kid is going to be a jail for a very long time!” Shut up already. We all know he is going to do time. What if it was you in a hospital bed and you know you made a mistake, and you know you didn’t mean it. Would you like people going around talking about you, and you can’t even defend yourself.
I don’t see any nasty comments here. You’re the only comment so far.
did i say the comments were on hear. I was talking about when i’m out in stores or even in school, i hear people talking about it all the time.
people have their right to talk. Just as well as you have it to make your comment here.
all i’ma saying that people need to be careful with who is around when they are running their mouths.
Hey carlos was an old school buddy of mine for realy long and i dint go see him that day becouse i felt like he was in need of space. In his 4th grade picture im the guy next to him Luis Rosario, can you tell me how hes been? i hope hes ok and i am sorry all this had to happen. I never knew carlos after shcool but from all dose years we grew up going to school together i have always look at carlos as a realy good person and couldnt even picture him doing bad to enyone. I remember having alot of fun with him in school lol like we used to rap at the lunch table and stuff or play fighting out side in 2nd grade and him telling me i hit to hard =/ . Actualy we did see eachother after school like about a few months before this happen on a city buss going to lawrence, i wish id stay with him that day he kept telling me not to go i feel so dumb. Can you tell him i said hi and i miss him i wish we were kids again rrrg. =] much love! my email is BlackLRC@yahoo.com incase enything. Thank you so much.
I am very close to the Hornberger family, who lost their daughter-in-law. I attended the funeral and burial of Deborah and her baby, who was buried with her. I saw the family’s display of pictures from Deb’s youth, saw her vitality, her silliness. Saw the recent photos of her beaming with pride showing off her pregnant belly. Saw the tiny footprints the hospital made of baby Samuel. Saw her little sister in anguish and her parents in despair. There are two sides to every story. And yes, everyone makes mistakes. But few cost so much.
You’re right and i am very sorry. I must admit that at times i act very selfish, and only think about what happend to Carlos. Just by reading what you wrote i started to think about what kind of pain the family of Deborah Hornberger must feel. I’m truly sorry. I just can’t believe how fast something like this accident can change the lives of many people in such a short time. What i just want people to understand is that Carlos didn’t mean for all this to happen. He just got that car too. When i was in the hospital with his family, his aunt was saying “how did this happen, Carlos never even talked about racing, or about cars?” But we all know that there are many things that happen in life that nobody can explain. Another thing that gets me mad is the news. I read in the paper one story and i hear in the new on t.v a version that is totally different.
Well put, JC.
Jenny, I really appreciate your honest and kind response. This is a horrible situation — for so many people, and in so many ways. And my heart does go out to Carlos, who will have to live with this the rest of his life. We will ALL move on from this: Debbie’s family, Carlos and his family. Some day, some way. And I believe all our lives will (eventually) be better for it in the long run.
As a health care worker who sees the results of these types of “thrill rides”, I think that Carlos will be getting just punishment for his actions. No one intends tragedies like this to happen, but to say Carlos did not mean for this to happen is bordering on reprehensible and is entirely irresponsible. He decided to stroke his ego that night and at the moment he decided to show off his car he should have thought then, at the very least, “this is not the place to do this”. But he is an immature punk who has no sense of being a civilized and responsible member of society – so yes, he needs to be punished for his inability to rationalize the danger of his actions. I think that as a society, we have grown increasingly complacent about this type of “punkish” behavior. Yes, lives are now changed. There is a family that has suffered an unwarranted loss of live and companionship, a mother, a wife, a daughter. How can we possbily compare that very real anguish with the stupidity of an immature punk trying to show he is a man behind the wheel. I hope he gets a chance to show how much of a man he can be to his inmate companions behind bars. He deserves no less.
Jenny I understand where you are coming from but as a person that has had experience getting in trouble with the law because of drag-racing I understand more how carlos is probably feeling at this time. I’m sure he does realize that he made a very big mistake, but he needs to look at the situation further than that. He needs to look into the future of it. He just might have ruined his own life for maybe the next 15-20 years let alone the family of the people that were killed. Again I was the very same way but before I actually physically hurt someone I sat down and thought about all the close calls and all the times I raced and COULD have killed someone, and it helped me to realize that there comes a time when us young people need to think out of the car, to look at the faces of the people in the cars around us and say to our selves that could be my mom, or my dad, or even my kids. The comments that you hear from people are not going to change or sound any better anytime soon so you will need to learn to adjust to them. I am hispanic and I am assuming the two young men that were drag-racing are also, so my advice to you and the family of carlos is to not ignore the situation but try to make a change. Even though you and carlos’s family will feel that it is pointless, try and write a sincere letter of apology to the families of the deceased to show them that they werent just victims of another stereotype hispanic kid racing behing the wheel of his car without the concern of others. Also if carlos is really a nice guy as you say he is have him due the same. Remember rude comments are just anger being vented, if the people that made the comments found them selves in the same situation then they would be in your same exact shoes.
First of all edmam, i’m glad u understand how i feel, but just to let every one know Carlos was not racing… Yes, was speeding, but for the reason that Nevies (the other driver) stole Carlos’s wallet and cell phone and tried to stab him. So instead of Carlos just forgetting about his belongs and leaving it to the police, yes he made and stupid choice and went to follow Nevies to get his stuff back, and that’s when all the drama happend… But as for Juan calling Carlos a punk… U need to stop running your mouth, because every one makes mistakes and u don’t need to keep saying the amout of time Carlos will be doing… I didn’t just hear about this yesterday iight…. I already know. Every body knows!!!
Yes, people make mistakes and must live with their actions. Carlos and Nevies must live the rest of their lives knowing what they took from Mr. Hornberger and Deb’s family. I have followed the entire story and am grateful for our justice story.
It’s a sad event all around.
Maybe there’s a way we all can help out Deborah Hornberger’s family in Leominster?
I agree. Donations are being made to different funds in her and samuel’s honor. Do you have any ideas?
Wsde, I will assume you made that comment on the wrong sight!
The back of the program for the funeral service had this on it:
At the family’s request, memorial contributions may be made to: New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ (to benefit the Foster C. and Florence Hillegrass Scholarship Fund) 1070 Church Rd, East Greenville, PA 18041 or Wyncote Church Home (to benfit the Wyncote Bridge Fund) 208 Fernbrook Ave, Wyncote PA 19095.
JC
I hope the bastard rots in jail. I don’t care if he got his wallet stolen. That is why we have cops!! Obviously the dumbass knew who stole his wallet and tried to stab him so why not just call the cops!!
I went to high school with Deb and was best friends with her younger sister. No one will ever know the grief that her family is facing unless they have gone through the same. Deb was the kindest person you could ever meet. Her family is left with an emptiness that will never be filled. I have no sympathy for Mr Rodriguez and his selfish acts. I hope that he will be forever haunted by is actions on November 3rd. I am speaking out of anger at the loss of life and I find if very hard to have compassion for Mr Rodriguez and his family who still have him in their lives, be it behind bars or elsewhere.
Let’s just all remember that one mistake can cost sooo much.
I don’t know who this Knaa person is, but let it be know that all of you are going to feel sooooooo STUPID when you find out that Carlos wasn’t even driving the car!!!!!!!!!!!! HA!!! More info coming up…
Well Jenny instead of just joking and speculating about this. Speak some facts about what you know about Carlos.
Did the papers get it wrong?
I’m not allowed to give out any information at this time… and who is joking? This is not a time to be joking iight, so get it straight… oh and i ain’t SECULATING EITHER!!!!!
Well your the one barking all these things about the accident but you’re not saying anything. You can’t blame us for wanting to learn more. Or the REAL truth.
First of all i’m not a dog so there’s noone barking… Secondly i’m really close to his family and i don’t think they would want me giving out any info 2 nosie ppl like urself… and the rest i’ll leave in God’s hands, cuz the REAL TRUTH will come out and all u ppl talking sh!t about Carlos about him rotting in Jail and all that bullsh!t will feel mad STUP!D….
Jenny,
I will assume his family would not be too happy by your childish emails. The paper DID not get it wrong and if I were you I would check your sources and think about what you are saying to public.
Bruce
listen iight… i’m with Carlos every day when i get out of work… we all ask him questions and ain’t nobody acting childish iight… and his family is right here with me iight… so i think, no correction, I KNOW ur the one who needs to check ur sources…
I don’t see anyone here saying that recently. In comment 20 I said that it was a sad event for all parties involved. No one is saying anything bad.
I’m just saying if there was a way to help the families involved, posting it here would be a good idea.
i don’t know who got u into the conversation in the first place because if u open up ur eyes and see what i wrote it say’s the name Knaa not Ken Savage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I am wrong, but I don’t understand why would you share something like this online. Then who was driving his car??
because i want ppl to stop thinking they know everything about what is going to happen with Carlos and thinking they know all the facts… and don’t worrie about who was driving the car… When Carlos get out of Rehab he’s is going to court and we all know that the nosie reporters are all going to be there and if u really wanna know all u need to do is pay $1.50 for the news paper… iight
Jenny,
Well, I guess the charges that were pressed were incorrect and that Carlos was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Time will tell.
Bruce
and this message goes out to Rtu… Carlos does not need sympathy from u our any one esle that doesn’t really know him iight… he has enough ppl that care about him already he don’t need u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so u were best friends with her younger sister… do u wanna a cookie????????????
go tell…
anyways anyone else who wants to run there mouth go ahead i’m out and will be back 2morrow at 8:00 a.m. 1 love
Jenny,
Please remember that regardless of the situation with Carlos many people have suffered a great loss. You need to be aware of this.
Bruce
oh trust me i was there be4 when my cuzin Chris was killed by a drag race and he wasn’t even the one racing, so i know and i feel terribly bad for the Hornberger family, but i’m just sick of hearing “oh, Carlos is going to get it bad…” and all those comments…
don’t get me wrong my deepest prayers out our to her family, i pray for both Carlos and the Hornberger family… so don’t think i’m just focused on Carlos…
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/11/05/pregnant_crash_victim_remembered_for_her_spirit/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+–+Globe+Northwest
According to State Police, Hornberger was driving outbound on the connector around 4:55 p.m. when her Subaru Legacy station wagon was crushed by another car, an Acura Integra allegedly driven by 18-year-old Carlos Rodriguez of Lowell. Police said he was driving at 92 miles an hour, lost control of his car, and flew across the median and into oncoming traffic.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/20/fatal_crash_spurs_roadway_upgrades/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+–+Today's+paper+A+to+Z
Police allege Carlos Rodriguez, 18, of Lowell, was travelling about 92 miles an hour on the inbound side of the connector when he lost control of his car and it crashed into Hornberger’s Subaru Legacy.
If he didn’t drive the car, then why didn’t any newspaper release the name of the real driver????
Check youself REAL DRIVER… stop with your comments… Carlos will be coming out of the rehab center soon and will be going to court… you wanna know you’ll find out sometime in the month of Jan or Feb…
Knna, those adds were made in November maybe the week after the accident. Carlos’s family and i are just now starting to find out what is really happening little by little… so check yourself… !d!ot
Knaa, I agree with your comments and find it ironic that Jenny has a different story with each entry.
FR, I don’t have a different story with each entry… iight in the beginning, yes i wrote that he made a mistake and all that, but that was be4 Carlos was able to remember anything iight… so u need to Stop…
Wow, is there anyway to stop Jenny from leaving messages? Her inappropriate comments and messages need to end. Her inconsiderate demeanor and attitude towards the REAL victims is just plain sickening. Her comment #33, “do you wanna cookie” part shows her absolute immaturity and stupidity. Not to mention, it is very difficult to read her comments with incorrect grammar and spelling.
If Jenny feels compelled to continue to contribute to this thread, then at least have some compassion for the victims and their families. Are you a mother, Jenny? Do you have any sisters with children? Jenny, I dare you to think about someone you know who was 2 months shy of giving birth to their first child. Feeling the baby move and eagerly awaiting the birth of your baby: the hopes, dreams, and love you feel for your baby that you have never even met. Deb’s husband Brant Hornberger was robbed of welcoming his first born child, a son, into this world. He was robbed of calling excitedly to tell his parents and Deb’s parents about the arrival of their newest grandchild. Instead he had to bury them both in Pennsylvania, his life totally turned upside down. Instead of finalizing nursery details as Deb’s due date nears, he is finalizing plans on how to decorate their gravesite of his lived ones for the holidays.
Yes, this was a horrible accident. I have not said one thing bad about your buddy Carlos, Jenny. I will say though that I look forward to the day I hear he has to pay restitution for his INVOLVEMENT in this accident. Fault will be determined by a jury. No matter how you look at it, whether what we have read in the news or your version of another driver, he was still a participant in the accident which will require consequences to be paid.
My intention of this email was basically to bring Jenny’s poor attitude to attention. Instinctively you want to defend your friend, but I believe you can do it in a much more mature and thoughtful manner. I am certain if you showed this thread to your friend’s family, they would find your behavior and attitude inappropriate.
God Bless for the Holidays and always, and if anyone out there is feeling the spirit to be charitable, a donation would always be greatly appreciated in Deb and Samuel’s memory, as stated in an above email #17.
Well said….
To benefit the Foster C. and Florence Hillegrass Scholarship Fund:
New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ
1070 Church Rd
East Greenville, PA 18041
To benefit the Wyncote Bridge Fund:
Wyncote Church Home
208 Fernbrook Ave
Wyncote PA 19095
Well how long is it going to take that idoit carlos to just name the person who, as you have stated, was really driving his car? So far only two people were charged for the accident. Are you telling me that the real driver crashed the car, flew through the window and had enough energy after that to run away from the accident?
Sounds like to me you’re just some stupid girl who doesn’t even know what is going on and probably doesn’t even know the carlos family personally.
First of all, Lib… Carlos’s mother, sister, brother, and some of his cousin’s are here with me and they are the one who tell me what to type on this site most of the time… They have seen and read everything… If you would read response #47 written by Knaa… that will give you the reason for all the comments i have typed on here and u say i’m immature… I don’t appreciated anyone calling carlos an idiot… and Knaa if Carlos was satble and all maybe he would have already told his side… iight so you need to stop with ur comments and don’t call me a stupid girl iight… i am 22 years old, i work for DSS and i have 2 kids iight…
I dont know how I came across this website but,I did. I am from Debbies hometown and knew her family quite well. Here is the bottom line- we lost a friend,family member and a wonderful person. Everyone is taking this hard. I personally hope they stay in Jail forever. Because our pain will never go away,and maybe the time they are in Jail will prevent anyone from ever having to deal with how we feel again.
I went to school with Carlos, but I don’t know him personally. I want to send my deepest sympathy to the Hornberger Family and friend’s of Deb’s. Also, I do believe Carlos should have some kind of consequence to his actions, wheter it be a careless mistake or not. But to everyone, since when is everything you read in papers true? The things the reporter’s overhear are the thing’s that get published. For example, yesterday 12 out of 13 miners in West Virginia were reported alive after being trapped when a mine exploded. Soon after, we found out that these 12 miners didn’t survive; all but one died. So once again, why believe EVERYTHING the newspaper says? We won’t find out the complete and descriptive details until Carlos talks. But I guess until then, let your opinions roll.
Just a thought.