Colin Ratiu, 24 of Boston, was arraigned yesterday morning in the Roxbury District Court on Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crimes Charges, including Vehicular Homicide and Leaving the Scene of an Accident After Causing Death. He was held on $7,500 bail.
Ratiu is alleged to have struck and killed 24 year old Northeastern University graduate student Andrew Prior who was riding his scooter last November and dragged him 150 feet. According to the Boston Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Ratiu then allegedly left the scene of the accident.
After the November 14, 2010 crash, Boston homicide detectives reported witnesses told them a silver or grey sport utility vehicle fled from the scene. This past Thursday, Boston Police received an anonymous tip that the grey SUV involved in the accident had been driven by Ratiu. Police then located the SUV in Roslindale, which allegedly still had front-end damage on the right fender and windshield, and both front air bags had been deployed.
Although the vehicle did not belong to Ratiu, Boston Police alleged that the owner of the SUV informed police that Ratiu had used the car in November and claimed that the damage resulted from him hitting something to avoid hitting a skunk.
Following his arraignment yesterday in Roxbury Court, however, Boston Police Officers executed a Search Warrant at Ratiu’s home in Roslindale and allegedly found a “climate-controlled closet [where he was allegedly] growing marijuana.”
Consequently, Ratiu is also expected to be brought into West Roxbury District Court this morning to face additional Massachusetts Drug Crimes Charges.
Boston Criminal Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis is available 24/7 for representation on all Massachusetts Felony Crimes, including Motor Vehicle Homicide and Drug Crimes.
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