Woman accused in hit-and-run that killed Milford boy heads to court

MILFORD, Mass. — A woman charged in a hit-and-run on Easter Sunday that killed a 4-year-old boy has been held on $20,000 bail.

Melissa Knight, 54, reportedly showed up to the Milford Police Department days after the fatal hit-and-run when an image of her Chevy Traverse aired on Boston 25 News.

She faced a judge Friday morning after she was accused of hitting the boy with her vehicle Easter morning and fleeing the scene, leaving him to die in the middle of the street.

Police told Boston 25 News she lied about the damage to her vehicle and said she wasn’t involved.

Investigators said it took them weeks to prove that she was lying.

“There were a number of things that she told us as far as damage to her vehicle, how it occurred, cleaning of the vehicle when it took place and as a result we were able to show it just wasn’t truthful,” Milford police Chief Tom O’Loughlin said.

Prosecutors say the boy's DNA was found on the SUV and debris at the scene matched her vehicle.
Knight's attorney said she has no record and isn't a flight risk.

A neighbor who tried to save the life of 4-year-old Jonathan Loja said he believes justice is finally being served.

“You would think you would have motherly instincts,” the neighbor said. “You hurt somebody, you pull over or do whatever you can to try to help that person. You don’t just drive away and get your car washed.”

Knight was arrested while at her job at Lasell College Thursday afternoon.

“I think she was a bit surprised we were there, but nevertheless that’s our responsibility. So she was taken into custody,” O’Loughlin said.

"She's guilty in my eyes," Dorene McDermott said. “She is going to be behind bars for a very, very long time and that couldn’t make me happier."

McDermott said she is sad for Knight, but believes she has “no soul” for what police said she did.

Knight will appear in Milford District Court Friday morning on charges of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing injuries that resulted in a death and misleading a police investigation.

Cox Media Group