Driver In Jamaica Plain Hit-And-Run Caught On Video Released
BOSTON (CBS) – Investigators say they've found the driver caught on dash camera video hitting a bicyclist in Jamaica Plain and driving off last summer.
Jonathan Costa, 27, of Brookline, was arraigned Wednesday in West Roxbury Municipal Court on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury in the August 6 crash. He was released on personal recognizance.
A 20-year-old woman was riding her bike in a rotary at Centre Street and the Arborway when she was hit by a red sedan. She was not seriously hurt thanks to her helmet, backpack, and the way she landed in the street.
According to Costa's lawyer, the bicyclist hit the back of Costa's car and he was unaware of the crash. Costa turned himself in to police when he saw a video of the crash on social media.
The entire incident was caught on another car's dashboard camera. That driver stopped and helped the cyclist, who has not been identified.
"The music was on going, it was 9 o'clock in the morning, the A/C was going. If you look at the exact video, the bicyclist hit the back rear end of the vehicle, of his car, so he didn't know that anything had happened, " said attorney Ilham Soffan. "It's not very clear that he was actually aware of it."
Henry Rosenkranz, the biker's father, has a different opinion.
"It appeared somewhat like he slowed down and was maybe thinking of stopping, then moved on," said Rosenkranz. "I drew my conclusions, everybody has to look at it and draw theirs, but it seemed obvious."
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 16.