Earlier this month, a 29-year-old Waltham, Massachusetts woman was arrested and charged with homicide, following a hit-and-run pedestrian accident that killed a 39-year-old Massachusetts man. The woman was arraigned at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. The woman also faces other criminal charges of reckless vehicular homicide, driving without a Massachusetts driver's license, driving to endanger, leaving the scene with property damage, leaving the scene with personal injury, using a motor vehicle without authority, speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign, and failure to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
The pedestrian victim, a 39-year-old Waltham man, died after being treated at Mass General Hospital. He was crossing at the intersection of Church and School streets in Waltham when he was struck by the speeding vehicle. The victim suffered catastrophic injuries to his head, leg, and internal organs, which resulted in his death. Waltham police later found the vehicle involved in the pedestrian accident parked at the driver's home.
Most pedestrian accidents are the result of a driver's negligence. Pursuant to Massachusetts law, pedestrians are granted the "right of way" when walking along roadways, especially inside crosswalks. Drivers must be cognizant of pedestrians, slow down, and pass only when safe to do so. All drivers have a duty to drive carefully and attentively, especially in areas of high foot traffic. If a motorist breaches this duty and causes an accident, he can be held negligent and liable for damages caused by the accident.
In some cases, a driver may face criminal charges if his/her actions go beyond mere negligence. Driving at excessive rates of speed, driving recklessly, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without a valid license are all examples of activity that may escalate a situation to the criminal level.
These situations are best addressed with the assistance of an experienced Boston personal injury lawyer and Boston criminal defense lawyer. At Bellotti Law Group of Cambridge and Quincy, our personal injury and criminal defense attorneys have represented both victims and those involved with criminal cases and investigations.
At Bellotti Law Group, our Boston personal injury lawyers and Boston criminal defense lawyers have the knowledge and experience to represent your interests both as an injured plaintiff and a criminal defendant. We will appear with you in court and should the case fail to resolve prior to trial, our attorneys are prepared to represent you in front of a jury and put you in the best position for a good outcome.
Bellotti Law Group serves Boston, Cambridge, Braintree, Quincy, the South Shore and all of Massachusetts. Contact us today at 617-225-2100 or toll-free at 800-334-3476.You can also contact us through our online form and we will promptly respond.
