SAUGUS, MA – A Salem man has been sentenced to at least 24 years in prison for a horrific wrong-way crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old nursing student exactly five years ago.
The Sentencing
William Leger, 40, of Salem, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, unarmed robbery, and receiving a stolen vehicle. A judge sentenced Leger to 18-20 years for manslaughter, followed by an additional 6-8 years for the robbery, plus five years of probation upon his release.
The sentencing occurred on June 9, exactly five years to the day of the fatal collision.
The Fatal Pursuit on Route 107
The tragedy unfolded on June 9, 2021, after Leger robbed a 7-Eleven store on Lincoln Avenue. In an attempt to flee from law enforcement, Leger drove a stolen vehicle southbound into the northbound lanes of Route 107.
His vehicle collided head-on with a car driven by Ashley Forward, 19, of Lynn. Forward tragically died at the scene, while Leger survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
A Community Mourns a Future Nurse
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office shared a statement from Forward’s mother, Michelle Luongo, highlighting the devastating impact of the loss. Forward was a compassionate young woman pursuing a career in nursing.
“Nursing was not just a career choice for her — it reflected who she was,” Luongo stated. “She wanted to care for people, to comfort them, and to heal them. Her life mattered deeply.”
