Crime & Safety

Outcome of August Hit-and-Run in Wellesley Angers Cycling Community

Before the crash, Patch readers voted the Weston Road-Linden Street intersection one of the most dangerous in Wellesley.

 

A Massachusetts grand jury returned no indictments against truck driver Dana McCoomb in the Weston Road hit-and-run from last year. The Boston Globe reports that the area cycling community is reacting with anger to this case.

During the trial, Wellesley Police Chief Terrence Cunningham tells the Globe he got the impression that one juror did not understand that, in this situation, the driver of the truck was obligated to yield to the cyclist.

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“Personally, I don’t feel they [the grand jury] followed the law,” Chief Cunningham said to the Globe. “But that’s the process.”

Warning against speculating on the jury's decision, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey added that he thinks there may be an overall bias against cyclists, although he is not certain whether that was a factor in this case.

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In addition to a perceived bias, cyclists also have to contend with safety issues.

A cyclist, , “We’re vulnerable out there, these cars are 2,000 pounds.”

See the full story on the Boston Globe

In September, Boston Magazine also said "There has to be some accountability." Word is that the victim's family intends to file a civil suit.

The case comes from last August, when Wellesley cyclist Alexander Motsenigos lost his life after being struck by a passing truck on a summer afternoon, at the intersection of Linden Street and Weston Road. Motsenigos, 41, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police also investigated the scene for more than a month afterward, with the intent of bringing charges against the driver. Over the course of several days of testimony and reports of witnesses, the grand jury elected not to indict.

A memorial was set up at the site during the week following the crash, and passing cyclists and fellow Pan-Mass Challenge riders stopped to pay their respects to Motsenigos. A Ghost Bike memorial was also briefly put in place at the scene. 

In July, before the crash, Patch readers voted that intersection one of the most dangerous in Wellesley.


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