Driver arrested after crashing stolen truck at Boston Public Garden, one woman in critical condition

BOSTON — Police have arrested the driver who crashed a stolen pickup truck into a gate at the Boston Public Garden, resulting in debris causing life-threatening injuries to a woman who was walking nearby.

The pickup truck careened onto the curb at one of the entrances to the Boston Public Garden, struck a granite pillar and other chunks of debris, which then struck the woman, according to police and witnesses.

The driver of the truck then left the scene on foot.

“I heard the screeching of the wheels, and I looked up and I saw the black truck go across the sidewalk,” said witness Donald Saarela. “Everything just started flying in the air, and a lady started screaming.”

Witnesses said the area was bustling with people at the time of the impact.

“The people came to her aid right away, and then the people who were helping her, when they looked up, the person took off from the truck,” added Saarela.

Driver sought after crashing stolen truck at Boston Public Garden, causing serious injuries to woman

Boston Police were called to the area of Boylston and Charles streets for a motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian struck at 4:34 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators remained on scene following the crash.

On Friday morning, police announced they had identified the driver as Keith Andrade, 58, of Boston. Boston Police officers say, at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, detectives observed a man matching the description of the suspect in the area of Washington Street and School Street.

As they approached the man and spoke to him, he identified himself and officers immediately discovered he had provided an alias. The man, who had two active warrants, was placed under arrest. Andrade was then identified as the suspect in the hit-and-run and was subsequently transported to the district station.

Andrade faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlicensed operation, and leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury on top of outstanding warrants.

He will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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