Laurence Hayes has pleaded guilty to charges related to the car crash that led to the death of Christopher J. Dailey, a new Gloucester High graduate and a co-captain of the hockey team.
Hayes was ordered by the court to serve five years house arrest and had his license suspended for 15 years.
Hayes, represented by attorney Robert Sheketoff, appeared Thursday in Gloucester District Court before Judge Jean Curran where he changed his initial plea of not guilty to guilty of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, improper operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation.
In addition to the five years house arrest and suspended license, as conditions of Hayes’ parole he must wear a GPS monitor and can only leave his home to attend church, going straight there and straight home, and for medical appointments.
Hayes is permitted to accompany his wife on her appointments as well because she is legally blind and on dialysis. The court’s parole office must be notified of any appointment or church service Hayes plans on attending.
Should Hayes violate his parole, he could face up to 2 ½ years in a state House of Corrections.
Largely guiding the conditions set by Curran was a plea deal between the defense and prosecution to keep Hayes out of jail, unless he violates his parole. Hayes was facing up to 2 ½ years in jail if found guilty by a jury of the charge of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation.
During Thursday’s hearing, Sheketoff asked the judge to allow Hayes a “vacation,” five or fewer days per year that he can leave the house and be with his family. Curran denied the request.
The charges stem from a June 30, 2025, accident on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge when a vehicle driven by Hayes was going the incorrect direction in the southbound lanes of Route 128 and collided with a vehicle carrying 18-year-old Dailey and three other teens at 1:40 a.m.
All those involved suffered serious injuries and were taken to area and Boston hospitals. Dailey was the only fatality.
Prosecuting attorney Patrick Collins recounted what happened, saying earlier that morning, callers informed the State Police Danvers barracks of a wrong-way driver, later identified as Hayes, on Route 128 in Beverly, Wenham and Gloucester. He said one of those callers was nearly struck by Hayes.
Collins said according to a state police report, Hayes had conducted a three-point turn in Beverly and traveled the wrong direction for 11 miles, a distance he covered in eight minutes, before the collision.
Hayes had become confused earlier in the afternoon after not taking his second daily insulin dose and did not get off the road, Sheketoff said.
The courtroom Thursday was full, largely of people supporting Chris Dailey’s family, mother Nicole, father Rich and sister Rachel.
Each immediate family member, along with Lexi Carollo who was driving the vehicle carrying Dailey, herself and two other teens, gave an impact statement detailing how the crash has forever changed their lives.
All three family members remembered Chris Dailey as a strong student, lover of sports, especially hockey, a hard worker and someone who could always make others smile.
“Christopher was a remarkably bright, kind and thoughtful young man,” his father said.
Speaking first was Nicole who, through tears, described her son as someone always willing to lend a helping hand and who never looked for recognition.
“His final act of generosity was giving five people organs through organ donation,” she said.
Both Nicole and Rich said their son was on the verge of stepping into adulthood, with plans to study business and play club hockey at Coastal Carolina University at the time. All family members said there is much they wanted to get to experience with him in the future.
“Our lives were completely shattered,” Rich Dailey said.
The Daileys also spoke on the effects they’ve felt in the year since the crash, including anxiety, grief, panic attacks and more.
“It’s the most painful experience a person can endure,” Rich said of the loss of his son.
Rachel highlighted the very strong relationship she had with her younger brother, saying “I spent more time with Chris than my friends (as a child) not because I had to, but because I wanted to.”
Carollo, the last of the four to speak, said she was left with several significant injuries and multiple fractures that impact her to this day.
“A life was so unfairly taken that day,” she said
“Survival has come with a cost,” Carollo said of her injuries.
In the 13 months that have followed the crash, the Cape Ann community has come out in support of the Daileys, raising money through the Chris Dailey Memorial Fund to support scholarships to Cape Ann students, financial assistance to young athletes, and support other missions that align with Chris Dailey’s life.