BOSTON — A grand jury has indicted the driver accused of causing a chain-reaction crash that killed a toddler in South Boston last year.
The Suffolk County district attorney’s office said Charlene Casey, 64, of South Boston, has been charged with motor vehicle homicide in the crash that killed 2-year-old Colin McGrath as he was being pushed in his stroller by a caretaker at the intersection of L and 6th streets. His 4-year-old sister was also seriously injured.
Casey, who was held on $5,000 bond following her arraignment Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Her attorney says she’s cooperated with the investigation and that she’s devastated by what happened.
“I do believe it’s an accident, and it’s a tragic accident,” said defense attorney Steven Boozang.
Casey didn’t initially appear in court and a warrant was issued for her arrest, but later recalled. She says she never received the summons and was confused about the court date.
“She was a little confused. She’s had some health issues over her lifetime, so she wasn’t exactly sure what they were talking about,” Boozang said.
Casey, who was driving a Toyota Prius, is alleged to have accelerated into the intersection after failing to yield to traffic in the crash on July 25, 2018. She then hit a van, which then crashed into Colin McGrath, his sister and the caretaker as they walked on the sidewalk, the DA’s office said. Colin died shortly after the crash.
District Attorney Rachael Rollins said Casey was legally required to yield to vehicles traveling on L Street and did not yield before the crash.
“It’s just a tragedy all around,” Rollins said.
Rollins said the case was an “exhaustive” investigation led by her office and Boston Police.
“The McGrath family deserves to have the person that did this held accountable, and we’re going to do that,” Rollins said.
The McGrath family, in a statement issued through Boston police, said: "We remain enormously grateful for the support of our family, friends, community, colleagues, elected officials, the Boston Police Department, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. We have trust and faith in the ongoing judicial process and ask for continued respect for our family’s privacy.”
At the time of the crash, officials said Casey and the driver of the van stayed at the scene and were cooperating with investigators.
Since Colin’s death, there have been changes to the intersection, including speed enforcement and radar signs, among other improvements to make the neighborhood safer. It’s an area that Casey’s attorney says she couldn’t even bear to live in anymore.
“She moved out. I think she lived right up the street, three houses down and every time she drove by she thought of the little kid. She’s a real good person. It’s a tragic, tragic accident," Boozang said.
Click here to learn more about Colin’s Joy Project.
Related
Officials looking to improve safety along L Street following fatal crash
© 2019 Cox Media Group
