Driver Charged In Deadly Somerville Hit & Run: 'I Think I Hit Someone'
SOMERVILLE (CBS) -- The man charged in a deadly hit and run crash in Somerville allegedly told police he thought he hit someone.
Zewdu Gedamu, 64, of Roxbury, pleaded not guilty Monday at his arraignment in Somerville District Court on charges of leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and a crosswalk violation.
He was released on conditions that he not drive, own any firearms, drink or do drugs and to surrender his passport.
State Police said Gedamu hit and killed 52-year-old Cheryl Richards, of Somerville, while she was in the crosswalk on Mystic Avenue Saturday night and then drove off. He turned himself in Sunday morning.
According to court documents, Gedamu told Somerville Police, "I think I hit someone but I am not sure."
"Mr. Gedamu explained that he had struck somebody, then stopped to look for the victim, and that he was shaken up because it was his first accident... he knew he was supposed to call 911 or the police but instead drove the car to Boston," the document said.
He also told them he had two glasses of wine at dinner before driving.
Court documents said a witness followed his car from the scene and took pictures to show police the gold Mercedes sedan involved in the crash.
One woman told WBZ-TV it is a difficult spot for pedestrians. "You take your life in your hands when you cross here. You have to be really careful. Even when the light turns red, they don't stop," said Susan Galardi.
Richards's longtime friend and roommate Jerome Naylor said he was too grief-stricken to speak but mentioned that Richards loved flowers and the best ways to remember her would be to leave flowers at the scene of the crash.
A probable cause hearing was scheduled for Sept. 16.
