Criminal Charges:
Man charged in the Bristol County Superior Court for:
- Manslaughter – M.G.L. c. 265, § 13
- Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury & Death – M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a½)
- Motor Vehicle Homicide by Reckless Operation – M.G.L. c. 90, § 24G(c)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with License Suspended – M.G.L. c. 90, § 23
City, State, County and Court:
New Bedford, Massachusetts, Bristol County
Bristol County Superior Court
Case Overview:
New Bedford Police were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident related to a vehicle striking a pedestrian and fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, the police observed the pedestrian lying in the road on his back bleeding from his head and ears. The vehicle and driver were identified by a witness. Police located the driver, who did not have a valid driver’s license, at a nearby location, and placed him under arrest. Video surveillance from a nearby residence revealed the vehicle turning the corner at a high rate of speed, striking the pedestrian, and fleeing the scene. Police also obtained earlier video surveillance involving the driver, pedestrians, and others engaged in a physical altercation, which was later determined to be an attempt by the pedestrian and others to rob the driver of a valuable necklace. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, due to a skull fracture and bleeding on his brain. The driver was charged 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. The driver retained Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, who secured his release on bail.
Case Result: 3 to 5 Years in State Prison
Following ongoing and lengthy negotiations with the Commonwealth, Attorney Calcagni successfully secured the Commonwealth’s agreement to recommend a 3-to-5-year state prison sentence, on the Manslaughter and Leaving the Scene charges, to run concurrently.
