By: Natalie Demaree
Source: Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) (TNS)
A Massachusetts driver is accused of fatally striking three construction crew members and running away, officials said.
The victims were identified as Igor Costa, 26, Ryan Almeida, 48, and Raul Bohorquez, 57, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said at a March 28 news conference.
“I want to first express my condolences to the loved ones of the three victims of this horrible, horrible tragedy,” he said.
The driver — identified as 29-year-old Bilal Griffith — was going at a “very high rate of speed” at about 12:50 a.m. Friday, March 28, when he lost control and crashed into a guardrail along Interstate 91 in West Springfield, where the crew was working, Gulluni said.
After hitting the guardrail, the truck flipped over and Griffith got out and ran away, leading law enforcement authorities on a chase, according to Gulluni.
Griffith was later arrested and charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of personal injury and death, after authorities determined the vehicle was registered to him, according to a news release.
The men worked at Premier Fence in Canton, about 20-mile drive southwest from Boston, according to officials.
“Our employees love what they do, we are a family and work together to demonstrate the highest standard of professionalism, with job safety being priority number one,” the company said in a March 31 statement. “Today we gathered as a team with the support of a grief counselor to help us process this incredibly difficult news.”
Premier Fence is continuing to work with investigating law enforcement officials, according to the statement.
Griffith is set to appear in court April 2 for a bail hearing, Gulluni said.
West Springfield is a roughly 90-mile drive southwest from Boston.
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