ALLSTON, Mass. — A community is mourning after the loss of 80-year-old Ted Schwalb in a hit-and-run in Allston.
Schwalb was killed after being hit in a crosswalk by 23-year-old Phocian Fitts, who admitted to Boston 25 News that he took off from the scene after the incident.
>>MORE: WATCH: Hit-and-run suspect held on $10K bail after confessing to Boston 25 News
Fitts, in unseen footage from the exclusive interview, explained there was even more to his story from after the incident Wednesday night.
“I know we live in a racist society, see what I’m saying. Even y'all being your color," Fitts said. "But I’m going to keep preaching this. Accidents happen, and that’s all it was."
>>MORE: 'I'm not worried': Driver makes no apologies for fatal hit-and-run
Investigators say there was more than enough to make an arrest, with probable cause authorities didn't have after they initially questioned Fitts.
“After being interviewed by police, the defendant gave an interview to FOX 25 News in front of his own home where he admitted to driving the vehicle, and stated people hit and run people all the time," Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Emily Hamrock said.
Fitts is on probation after pleading guilty in 2016 to an attack on a mailman who kicked his mother's dog.
The victim, a Marblehead High School and Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduate, had lived in this South End neighborhood since the 1980s.
>>MORE: South End resident's hit-and-run death in Allston 'a terrible shock' to family
Schwalb had spent 40 years as an art teacher at Stoneham High School, and was often referred to as the "Mayor of the South End."
Schwalb was remembered for treating his friends just like family, and his blood relatives say there's no replacing their one-of-a-kind uncle.
"He was one of those people who collected people and kept them part of his life," Anthony Star, Schwalb's nephew, said. "I used to worry when he would have parties, there would be food shortages because they were so lavish."
Former students sharing memories of ret. Stoneham art teacher Ted Schwalb.”Ted was a dear friend, beautiful, bright, witty, warm, generous, quirky & beloved by many.. if I had any idea of what was to happen, I would have hugged him tight & never let him go,” said one #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/4INqIHQWWk
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) June 7, 2018
His other nephew said he will leave behind a good legacy.
"Everyone who knew him remembered him as the warmest, most vivacious person in the room," Alexander Star said.
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