Family of mom killed in drunk driving crash concerned justice is too slow

On January 12, 30-year-old Yahaira Colon, a mother of four, was killed in a drunk driving crash on Waverly Road in North Andover. A passenger was badly hurt but survived.

The driver of the car that struck Yahaira, 27-year-old Bradley Zucchino, was issued a summons and reported to Lawrence District Court for arraignment on August 12, seven months after the fatal crash.

At the hearing, the judge did not set bail for Zucchino, instead, Zucchino was released under a set of conditions, including requirements to wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet, submit to random screens and being forbidden to drive a motor vehicle without a valid license.

Yahaira’s family is concerned the courts are being too lenient.

“He got summonsed to walk into court, and walked right out with a bracelet for alcohol,” said Jeannette Colon, Yahaira’s sister.

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“The system should have done more justice since Day One. It’s been seven months. It’s going to be eight. And he is still home with his family, it’s not fair,” she added.

A police report indicates Zucchino’s blood alcohol level was measured at anywhere from three-and-a-half to four times the legal limit.

Yahaira’s family is concerned, despite the conditions placed on Zucchino, that he might still try to drive and could put others at risk.

“He could have called a cab, he could have called one of his friends that he was with in the bar to take him home, but he didn’t care. The same way he did that, he could take another life,” said Betcenia Nieves, Yahaira’s sister. 

If Bradley Zucchino violates the conditions of his release during pre-trial, he could be brought back to court and a judge could order him to jail, without bail.

Murat Erkan is Bradley Zucchino’s attorney.

He sent Boston 25 News a statement which reads in part:

“Bradley and his family are grief-stricken for the victims of this tragic accident and their families. Bradley will continue to do everything in his power to facilitate a prompt, respectful and just resolution of this case so that the victims and their families can have closure and continue healing.”

Zucchino is due back in court in October.

Cox Media Group