Leah S. Forrester, a mother of six, was killed in September 2024 when a car, driven by a woman prosecutors say was intoxicated, crashed into them in Charlton. 

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

A Massachusetts woman has been indicted in an alleged intoxicated crash that killed a mother of six as she and several of her family members were driving home from the movies last year.

Aphrodite Papoutsides, 28, of Charlton, was charged last week with multiple felonies after investigators said she caused the crash that killed 51-year-old Leah S. Forrester of Southbridge, the Worcester County District Attorney said in a statement.

Investigators allege Papoutsides' Mercedes crossed the center line on Southbridge Road on Sept. 21, 2024, and collided head-on with Forrester's Honda Civic. Forrester's husband and two of their children were also in the car and suffered serious injuries.

Forrester's obituary described her love for her family as the "cornerstone" of her life.

"Leah was a devoted wife and a loving mother who cherished every moment spent with her family. She found great joy in doing crafts with her children, creating beautiful memories that will be cherished forever. Leah's warmth and kindness touched everyone around her, and her love for family was the cornerstone of her life."

Papoutsides was indicted on charges including:

  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • Manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle while under the influence
  • Motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation
  • Motor vehicle homicide while under the influence
  • Motor vehicle homicide
  • Operating under the influence, causing serious bodily injury (three counts)
  • Operating under the influence
  • Reckless operation of a motor vehicle

She was previously charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, reckless operation, and a marked lanes violation, but the new charges move the trial to Worcester Superior Court, the prosecutor's office said.