LAWRENCE, Mass. — A 27-year-old Lawrence man walked out of Salem Superior Court Monday, after pleading not guilty to a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed a mother of four a year ago.
And the victim’s family is angry that he still has his freedom.
Bradley Zucchino was released on personal recognizance, with conditions.
He is due back in court in April.
Bradley Zucchino pleaded not guilty in Salem Superior Court today in suspected drunk driving case that killed Yahaira Colon, a mother of four last January. Colon’s family is angry he is not in jail, and concerned they won’t see justice. My story @boston25 5/6PM #Truecrime pic.twitter.com/nwh615T0NH
— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) January 25, 2021
But Yahaira Colon’s family is concerned that Zucchino will never see the inside of a jail cell.
“He should be in jail, he shouldn’t be out!” declared Betcenia Nieves, Yahaira’s sister. “He got to spend time for the holidays with his family. All we got was broken hearts.”
Yahaira Colon was killed on the night of January 12, 2020, on Waverly Street in North Andover.
The mother of four was giving a friend a ride home in her SUV, when her vehicle was struck by Zucchino’s BMW in a head-on crash.
According to a police report, Zucchino’s blood alcohol level was up to four times the legal limit.
Yet, Zucchino was not arrested that night, instead, he was given a summons to later appear in court.
>> PREVIOUS: Family of mom killed in drunk driving crash concerned justice is too slow
In August 2020, seven months after the fatal crash, Zucchino was charged in Lawrence District Court and released on personal recognizance, with conditions.
After a grand jury indicted Zucchino on a series of charges including manslaughter DWI and leaving the scene of personal injury, Zucchino was arraigned in Salem Superior Court Monday where he pleaded not guilty, and he was again released on personal recognizance with conditions.
“It’s hard to see the man who murdered my daughter, just walk out of court,” Betsy Cruz, Yahaira’s mother told me after Monday’s arraignment. “My concern is he won’t get jail time. And I do want justice for my daughter. She deserves justice.”
Bradley Zucchino refused to talk to me after the hearing.
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