(Colin McGrath/Suffolk County DA's Office)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The driver accused of causing the chain-reaction crash that left a toddler dead in South Boston last year was arraigned Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court.
Colin McGrath, 22 months, died after a van struck him, his sister, and his caretaker on the sidewalk on L Street on July 25, 2018.
Charlene Casey was allegedly driving another car that crashed into the van, causing it to hit McGrath as he was being pushed in a stroller. She was indicted on a charge of motor vehicle homicide last month.
In court Thursday, Casey was ordered to pay $5,000 bail, and was released after posting it. She also had her license suspended, and was ordered to stay away from the victim's family.
Authorities say she did not yield the right of way to traffic, and accelerated into an intersection on L Street.
Casey was due in court Thursday morning, but did not show up. She claimed she never received a court summons, because she moved.
Casey's attorney said his client was "confused," and didn't understand that she needed to come to court. He said there have also been issues with her health.
Casey contends the crash was an accident, and that she moved out of the neighborhood to avoid driving by the spot where it occurred.
In a statement, McGrath's family said they are "enormously grateful for the support of our family, friends, community, colleagues, elected officials, the Boston Police Department, and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. We have trust and faith in the ongoing judicial process and ask for continued respect for our family’s privacy."
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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