UPDATE #3: State Police Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash In Somerville
The victim in yesterday’s fatal hit-and-run crash is identified as Cheryl Pauline Richards, 52, of Somerville.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her, arrested by Massachusetts State Police today, is ZEWDU ABATE GEDAMU, 64, of Roxbury. He was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350.
At this point GEDAMU is charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and a crosswalk violation. He was booked today at State Police-Medford. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible based on the results of the investigation.
A bail clerk ordered GEDAMU ordered held on $1,000 cash bail. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Somerville District Court.
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UPDATE #2: State Police Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash In Somerville
The driver of the hit-and-run vehicle that struck the victim in last night’s fatal pedestrian crash in Somerville has been identified and, following an interview conducted by Troopers from the State Police Detective Unit for Middlesex County and State Police-Medford, he is being charged.
The driver turned himself his morning. Specific charges are being finalized at this time. We will update later today with the defendant’s name and charges, as well as the name of the victim.
Please note we are no longer asking for the public’s help in seeking the suspect vehicle.
Further investigative steps remain to be taken. No further information is being released at this time.
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Earlier article:
The Massachusetts State Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in Somerville that caused the death of a female pedestrian.
The victim, who is approximately 50-51 years old, was struck in on Mystic Avenue southbound, south of Route 28, in the area of Stop and Shop shortly before 8 p.m. She was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was pronounced deceased a short time later.
The vehicle that struck the woman continued southbound after the crash.
Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was on foot in the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle.
Preliminary investigation further suggests that the suspect vehicle that fled after the crash MAY be a Mercedes. The vehicle most likely has front-end damage, probably on the passenger side. The color of the vehicle is not known at this time.
The crash is under investigation by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about the crash is urged to contact Massachushetts State Police at 508-820-2121 or by calling 911.
