Local

Suspect accused of stealing Boston firefighter’s truck, nearly killing woman in crash at Public Garden

BOSTON — On Thursday afternoon, a 32-year-old woman was walking at the Boston Public Garden when she was hit by flying debris after a stolen pickup truck crashed.

The victim remains in critical condition at Tufts Medical Center, where a team of doctors and nurses are constantly watching over her. Witnesses tell us, they did everything possible to help the victim, and they’re hoping she pulls through.

In court Friday afternoon, 58-year-old Keith Andrade hid behind the doors at Boston Municipal Court as he faced charges on allegedly stealing a black pickup truck. Andrade, who has been homeless for 7 years is then accused of then driving into the Boston Public Garden, and hitting the victim on Thursday afternoon.

“The victim, lying unconscious on the ground in a pool of bright red blood inside the park gate,” said Colleen O’Neill, a Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney.

A woman reached out to reporter Malini Basu saying “I was on scene the whole time helping her sister and friends try to stay calm and keep on-lookers away. I want to send flowers to her room. I can’t get her face out of my head.”

Prosecutors say, witnesses told police they saw a man that fit the description of Andrade run from the car with blood on his head and face.

“John Doe the witness says he saw the suspect casually walk across Charles Street into the adjacent entrance on the Common. As if he were trying to blend in with the crowd,” said O’Neill.

Andrade’s court-appointed attorney Richard Noone says, this is a case of misidentification.

“When the car was stolen, he’s wearing a blazer and dark green shirt,” said Richard None, the suspect’s defense attorney.

Before the crash, a firefighter from Boston’s Back Bay fire station said he just parked his truck and went to work. Soon after, he reported his truck black truck missing. The firefighter claims he leaves a spare key in his truck, and he keeps a spare key on him. prosecutors say nearby surveillance cameras capture everything.

The family can’t forget the images left behind.

“She was walking into the Boston Public Garden, at the time of the crash, and directly observed the crash and suspect fleeing,” said O’Neill.

On social media, the victim’s family members are asking for prayers. The suspect is being held on $20,000 bail, and has been ordered to stay away from the victim.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW