Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara wants to be 'fully accountable for my mistake' in crash
BOSTON - Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara appeared at the West Roxbury courthouse Wednesday morning to face charges after being accused of driving without a license and crashing into a Jamaica Plain home last month.
Police say Lara was driving at more than double the speed limit - 53 mph in a 25 mph zone - moments before the Centre Street crash that injured her young son. Police said the 4-year-old was not in a proper booster seat, as required by law, and needed treatment at Boston Children's Hospital for a cut on his eyebrow.
"The car hit the foundation of my house. It moved the porch over, forget about the bush and the fence," homeowner Georgia Kalogerakis said in an interview outside the courtroom.
Lara is facing a number of citations including reckless driving, speeding and a seatbelt violation. Two additional charges filed against Lara Wednesday are operating negligently so as to endanger, and recklessly permitting bodily injury to a child under 14.
Lara's attorney argued she was trying to avoid hitting a car that was pulling away from the curb.
"It's difficult to imagine why if a car did not pull out of a parking space, she's just traveling down the street, fast or not fast, someone would swerve that dramatically," said Carlton Williams, Lara's attorney.
Lara was released without bail following an arraignment and ordered not to drive without a valid license. Not guilty pleas to all charges were automatically entered on her behalf. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for August 16, at which time her attorney may try to get the charges dismissed, claiming they were not properly notified by Boston police.
Lara hasn't had a valid license since it was revoked 10 years ago. The crash prompted the city council to review driving records of all its members.
"There's been no acknowledgement on her part of her actions, no contact, no indication of remorse, no concern for the stress that she caused me and my family," said Kalogerakis.
Lara made a statement to the media before heading into court, saying she wants to be "fully accountable for my mistake."
"There are often circumstances that prevent good people from checking off all of their boxes and that sometimes manifests itself as things like unpaid fines," she said. "I know that as an elected official I have to hold myself to a higher standard, and I intend to do that."
Lara, who is up for election this year, said she plans to continue representing the people of District 6.
As she headed into court, Lara was followed by a group of protesters who often follow Mayor Michelle Wu around. She also got support from fellow councilors.
"You can't kick people when they're down, if they make mistakes," said Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes. "People will make mistakes and you can't kick them when they're down."
Lara is due back in court in August. She's not allowed to drive without a valid license in the meantime.
