Criminal Charges:
Man charged in the Bristol County Superior Court for:
- Manslaughter, in violation of M.G.L. c. 265, § 13
- Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury & Death, in violation of M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a½)
- Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Operation, in violation of M.G.L. c. 90, § 24G(c)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with License Suspended, in violation of M.G.L. c. 90, § 23
City, State, County and Court:
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Bristol County
Bristol County Superior Court
Case Overview:
Members of the New Bedford Police were dispatched to a pedestrian who was struck by a fleeing vehicle. Upon arrival, police observed the pedestrian lying in the road on his back bleeding from his head and ears. An eyewitness identified the vehicle and driver who struck the pedestrian. The police located the driver, who did not have a valid license, and placed him under arrest. Video surveillance from a nearby residence showed that the vehicle turned the corner at an intersection at a high rate of speed, struck the pedestrian, lifting him off the ground and onto the hood of the vehicle and the ground, and then fled the scene. Police also obtained video surveillance from moments earlier where the pedestrian attempted to rob the motorist and his friends. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead, after succumbing to his injuries. The driver was indicted in Bristol County Superior Court with Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury & Death, Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Operation, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with License Suspended. He retained Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.
Case Result: 3 to 5 Years in State Prison.
Attorney Calcagni first secured his client’s release on bail, over the prosecution’s objection. Following extensive negotiations with the Commonwealth, Attorney Calcagni and his team successfully secured the agreement to resolve this case with a state prison sentence of 3 to 5 years. With good behavior and pretrial confinement credit, the driver is expected to be released in under 2 years.
