Police seek witness in possible street racing crash that left Osterville teen dead

An Osterville teen died after the BMW he was driving rolled over and smashed into a tree in an apparent street racing accident in Harwich early this morning, according to State Police.

Michael Lawrence, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene on Route 6 eastbound, between exits 9 and 10.

The driver of a second vehicle, Adrian Sterling, 18, of Hyannis, was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and racing a motor vehicle.

State Police arrived around 12:40 a.m. at the crash site, where they found a black 2002 BMW X5 sport utility vehicle, which had “rolled over and struck a tree along the right side of the roadway,” said Trooper Reid Bagley. Lawrence was the only one in the car.

Preliminary investigation indicated that Lawrence and Sterling, who was driving a white, two-door 2000 Toyota Camry Solara coupe, “were racing prior to the crash,” according to a statement from police.

Bagley said he could not say whether alcohol may have been a factor.

Police are seeking a third vehicle that was in the area but not involved in the crash in case anyone in it may have witnessed the circumstances leading up to the accident, according to the statement.

Anyone who was traveling this section of the road during this time frame and may have seen either of these vehicles, or the crash itself, are asked to call the South Yarmouth Barracks at 508-398-2323.

Troopers with the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and Cape and Islands State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Barnstable County District Attorney’s Office were investigating.

Traffic was diverted off of Route 6 until 3:45 a.m. when the roadway was reopened.