The Massachusetts man accused of striking and killing a wheelchair-bound pedestrian while impaired by alcohol on the night of July 18 has a long history of drunk and reckless driving according to media reports. The judge who presided over the 78-year-old Quincy resident’s July 20 arraignment hearing ordered him held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. His driving privileges were also revoked by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. RMV records reveal that this is the man’s eighth revocation. His license was first suspended in 1985.
Witnesses describe a harrowing accident
The accident that led to the man’s latest license suspension took place in Quincy at approximately 8:30 p.m. According to a police report, the man’s Kia SUV struck a 72-year-old pedestrian as he crossed Quincy Avenue in a wheelchair. Eyewitnesses told responding police officers that the man’s SUV reversed after striking the wheelchair and then struck the victim a second time as he lay on the ground. A bystander allegedly prevented the man from fleeing the scene.
Vehicular homicide and drunk driving charges
Police took the man into custody at the scene on impaired driving and vehicular homicide charges. Records indicate that the DUI count was the man’s fifth drunk driving charge. RMV records indicate that he has previously been cited for getting behind the wheel after drinking in Scituate, Marshfield, Hingham, Cohasset and Hull. The man has also refused to submit to a breath test on at least two occasions.
Negotiating a plea agreement in serious DUI cases
Prosecutors are generally reluctant to go to court, and they may be willing to make significant concessions even when they have strong evidence. When the facts in a criminal case are likely to anger a jury and the penalties the defendant could face are severe, experienced criminal defense attorneys may suggest avoiding a trial by taking the best plea offer available.
