A 19 year old Bermudian student at Massachusetts' Atlantic Union College is facing seven charges as a result of a car accident there last weekend.

The accident claimed one life - that of New Yorker Carlos Chandler, and three Bermudians and one New Yorker were injured.

Malachi Astwood, whose local address was listed as Arlington Avenue, Spanish Point, was arrested by Lancaster, Massachusetts Police following the accident and released on $10,000 cash bail the same day. He was arraigned in court on Monday and formally charged with vehicular homicide by means of reckless endangerment, marked lanes violation, driving the car without a licence, negligent driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle and speeding.

Sargeant Edwin Burgwinkle of the Lancaster Police department told The Royal Gazette that because of its severity, Massachusetts State Police were called in to do a thorough, independent investigation of the accident.

According to Sgt. Burgwinkle, the car was travelling "far in excess" of the zone's 35 miles an hour speed limit.

There was no evidence of drinking, he said.

According to a press statement issued by the College, the driver lost control of the vehicle as it headed south on Main Street in South Lancaster and hit two trees around 3.00 am on Saturday.

New Yorker Carlos Chandler, one of the five students in the vehicle, died as a result of the accident.

Bermudian Keivon Scott, with possible internal injuries, was hospitalised at UMASS Memorial Hospital.

And Mr. Astwood, was treated at Clinton Hospital for minor injuries. The third local involved John Ford Smith was also treated at UMASS Memorial hospital and later released.

Another New Yorker, Bevon Burgon was also injured and treated at Clinton hospital.