Woman Arrested In Milford Hit-And-Run That Killed Child
MILFORD (CBS) – Police have arrested a driver several weeks after a Milford hit-and-run that killed a young child.
WBZ-TV chief investigative reporter Cheryl Fiandaca reported that a 54-year-old woman was arrested for hitting and killing 4-year-old Jonathan Loja on April 16.
Police confirmed they arrested Melissa Knight around 2:30 p.m. at Lasell College where she works.
Knight is being held on $100,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned on Friday.
Milford Police said Knight showed up at the police station on the Wednesday after the crash, having seen her car on the news. But police say Knight told detectives the damage on her car was from a tree branch.
"We believe that she was well aware that she had struck the child," Milford Police Chief Thomas J. O'Loughlin said.
Police also say that her car looked like it was recently washed.
Family and friends of the boy's parents are relieved to know Knight is behind bars.
"I just look at her picture and I'm just so angry," Karina Silvia said.
Dorene McDermott lives just feet from where the crash happened on Water Street. She tried to help save the 4-year-old. "I hurt for the little boy because he didn't get a chance to live," McDermott said.
Friends are hoping Knight's arrest brings justice and closure for the family.
"And I hope she gets every piece, everything that they give to her I hope they serve her the maximum," Silvia said.
Knight was charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash after causing injuries that resulted in a death. She was also charged with misleading a police investigation.
Loja, a Framingham resident who was visiting family, was playing outside during a family cookout when he was hit and the driver failed to stop.
Police scoured surveillance cameras from the area and were searching for SUVs they believed were in the area at the time.
