Bail Set For Man Who Fled After Deadly Head-On Crash In Auburn

WORCESTER (CBS) - A Taunton man is being held on $50,000 cash bail for a crash on Route 20 in Auburn Thursday afternoon that claimed the life of an Auburn man. Dejesus Amaro, 24, was brought into court in hospital scrubs and a bandaged arm, injuries from the accident.

"This defendant was travelling at an excessively high rate of speed," said prosecutor Anthony Melia.

He says the Ford Explorer Amaro was driving hit one vehicle, crossed the marked lines and smashed head on into the Jeep Cherokee where 54-year-old Mike Robidoux was a passenger. Video surveillance captures Amaro running from the scene only to be arrested in nearby woods.

Angel Velazquez says Amaro is a friend who stole his car and is devastated by the death. "My thing is you stop and deal with your problems. If police catch you, you stop, that's it," said Velazquez.

Just before the crash sources tell the I-Team police had been chasing Amaro who took off from a traffic stop. But police say it ended in Sutton.

Amaro has several outstanding warrants for parole violations for drug offenses and breaking and entering. "When questioned why he ran from the police, this defendant stated he was not going back to jail, he has three kids he's a single parent and he just wasn't stopping," said Melia.

Outside court family members of Robidoux would only say it was difficult to see Amaro. They have described Robidoux as well known in the community where he owned Central Mass Towing in Auburn. "The guy needs to pay for his crime, he took away the honest guy in the world that would help everybody out, it's just wrong," said Tim Robidoux, Mike's brother.

As traffic rushed by on Rt. 20 Friday, people paused at a memorial growing in honor of a beloved member of their community.

"Just respect, respect, Mike's a good guy," said Auburn resident Warren McDonald.

He was a father of four and had 12 grandchildren. Many in the community like, Warren McDonald, say one of the good guys is gone. "He was just a nice, nice guy would help anyone," said McDonald.

Angel Velazquez says it never should have happened. "That's the worst part somebody's gone," Velazquez said. "He should have waited for me to come home from work."

Prosecutors say Amaro admitted to drinking and found a bottle of Hennessy liquor in the car.

WBZ-TV's Katie Brace reports