Advertisement Ex-probation officer accused of sex assault dies in crash William Averill was facing rape charges Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A former Dorchester Municipal Court probation officer who was set to be arraigned on charges he raped a woman he was assigned to supervise has been killed in a car crash.Authorities said 50-year-old William Averill, of West Roxbury, faced charges including rape and indecent assault and battery. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.State police say Averill was killed shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday on state Route 28 in Randolph. Police say his car left the roadway, traveled onto the sidewalk and hit a bridge abutment. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.Prosecutors say Averill sexually assaulted a woman Jan. 5 when she reported to Averill's office for probation.Officials say Averill's lawyer notified prosecutors of Averill's death. The crash remains under investigation.Get the WCVB News App