Middleborough man charged in fatal crash held on $50K bail

WAREHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) — A 20-year-old man facing charges in a car crash that took the life of a beloved former Middleborough High School teacher and coach has been ordered held on $50,000 bail.

Zachery Lemmo, of Middleborough, pleaded not guilty to charges including vehicular homicide Wednesday during his arraignment in Wareham District Court. He was arrested Tuesday and charged in connection with the two-car crash Saturday night.

Prosecutors say Lemmo was driving an estimated 70 miles per hour when he ran a red light on Route 44 and struck a car driven by 61-year-old James Braga.

Prosecutors say Lemmo had a blood alcohol level in excess of .111, and was high on marijuana at the time. The legal limit to drive is .08.

Family and friends say Braga, a Middleborough native, was a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran who was dedicated to the children in his town. He taught business at the high school until retiring several years ago, and also coached boys' soccer.

Since the accident, Braga's family has been overwhelmed by calls from around the country from people offering their condolences, said another son, James D. Braga.

"He was just a great person and, you know, it's a huge loss for our family, but it's also a huge loss for the whole community," Jonathan Braga, 29, one of the victim's three grown sons, told The Enterprise of Brockton. "It's been like a shock wave, I think."

Braga is survived by his wife and three sons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group