Local

Brockton man held without bail for fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 72-year-old woman

BROCKTON, Mass. — Thirty-three-year-old Michael Blanche appeared in Brockton District Court Friday where he was arraigned on charges connected to a hit-and-run that killed 72-year-old Marie Bien-Aime on Tuesday night.

Authorities allege Blanche was driving a green Hyundai Accent that struck Bien-Aime as she was crossing busy Pleasant Street.

During the investigation and acting on a tip, Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police discovered Blanche owned a green Hyundai Accent, but that it was registered to a lifelong friend.

Blanche’s car was found parked behind an apartment building on Ford Street in Brockton, covered by a tarp.

Police say the car sustained heavy damage, especially to its windshield.

Blanche’s girlfriend lives in the house next to the lot where the car was recovered.

Prosecutors say Blanche admitted to police in an interview, that he was driving the car and speeding when it struck the victim, and that he drove away afterwards.

“This is not an incident whereby this individual didn’t see what happened,” said Plymouth County DA Timothy Cruz said after the arraignment. “He knew what he hit, he saw the woman, she hit his windshield, and then he left the scene. Come on, there’s absolutely no need for that.”

Marc Bien-Aime, one of the victim’s sons and one of the eleven children she raised, had a simple message for Michael Blanche.

“What I say to the driver, ‘Why you go so fast, where you going? You leave your house on time, and to be there on time, so you don’t have to go that fast,’” Bien-Aime said.

Michael Blanche is held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing next week.