BROCKTON, Mass. — Twenty-four hours after Michelle Shelley Maxwell was killed in a hit and run accident, family and friends held a prayer vigil outside of Brockton Hospital, where the crash happened.
It was outside of the hospital where Rev. Robert Maxwell stood in pain as he talked about the love of his life, who died on that very spot.
“My pastor, the entire community. This is a sad day,” said Rev. Maxwell.
55y/o Michelle Shelley Maxwell was out walking her dog last night in front of Brockton Hospital. She died in a hit and run accident. The driver claims he thought he hit a cone. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/F6D9w5J7FI
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) August 13, 2020
The crash that killed Michelle happened on Tuesday night, while she was out for a walk with her dog Rusty, their Pomeranian, who survived the crash.
As family members gathered for a vigil, they cried, they hugged and some even collapsed because they couldn’t bear the thought of Michelle never coming home again.
“Every night we walk the dog, it’s usually her in the evening,” said Maxwell.
Police say 57-year-old Allen Perkins ran her over, killing her and just kept going.
“He thought he hit a traffic cone,” said Maxwell.
In court on Wednesday, Perkins hid from the cameras as he faced charges.
“When he found out the car was a bolo, he moved it away from his home,” said Maxwell.
“Why would they take Shelley?,” said Renee, a cousin of the victim’s.
Michelle was married for 18 years, she was a mother of two and stepmother who worked at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
Rev. Robert Maxwell in the purple shirt is a courageous man. He lost his beautiful wife 24hours ago in front of Brockton Hospital. She was out walking the dog. When a hit and run driver took her life. 💔 pic.twitter.com/xUXGhARGR3
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) August 13, 2020
In her honor, Maxwell read a scripture from her bible during the vigil.
“Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies,” said Maxwell as he read a scripture from his wife’s bible.
“You are moving in our mist. I worship you [...],” were the words they sang during the prayer vigil.
Michelle Shelley was 55y/o. A mother of 2, a wife,& was loved by the Brockton community. The man accused of running her over faced murder/manslaughter charges in 1990. He spent 14years behind bars for that. Tonight, family members are hoping justice is served. pic.twitter.com/o0F2ztXcri
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) August 13, 2020
Family members were at a loss for words. Naturally, they are having a hard time understanding why this even happened.
Perkins was released on bail on Wednesday. He faced murder charges with a firearm in 1990 in the Boston area. That charge was downgraded to manslaughter, and Perkins spent 14 years behind bars.
The family says they want justice served.
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