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3 held on drug charges after fatal Springfield hit-and-run

A fatal hit-and-run led Springfield police to a house where they found large amounts of cocaine and marijuana Saturday morning, police said Sunday.

Two cars collided at the intersection of Chestnut and Carew streets shortly after 10 a.m., said Springfield police Lieutenant Robert Moynihan .

One of the drivers fled the scene in a car that had been reported stolen, Captain Cheryl Clapprood said.

A Westfield woman in the passenger’s seat of the second car was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, Moynihan said. The man driving that car suffered minor injuries.

Police followed a trail of leaking car fluid, while at the same time, a tip that was called into police led officers to 25 Narragansett St.

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As police surrounded the house, Mark Perez, 25, of Springfield tried to leave with a large amount of marijuana, according to Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni.

Officers arrested Perez on 12 charges, including vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs; two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine and lidocaine, a prescription anesthetic, with intent to distribute; and resisting arrest, Clapprood said.

Police obtained a warrant to search the house, where they reportedly found marijuana, cocaine, and lidocaine.

They also arrested Joseph Anthony Cruz, 24, and Hailey Luz Rodriguez, 20, on charges of possession of marijuana, cocaine, and lidocaine, all with intent to distribute.

All three are scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Springfield District Court, Moynihan said. The Hampden district attorney’s office is investigating the crash and drug distribution charges, Mastroianni said.


Gal Tziperman Lotan can be reached at gal.lotan@globe .com.