Alleged Drunk Driver Charged in Mattapan Hit-and-Run

BOSTON, Sept. 6, 2016—A Dorchester man was arraigned today on charges that he was drunk behind the wheel when he struck and killed 46-year-old Johnette Sims in a crosswalk, then fled the scene, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ANTHONY EARL BUCHANAN (D.O.B. 12/26/76) of Dorchester is charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. He was additionally citied for the civil infractions of speeding and a marked lane violation.

Assistant District Attorney Tai Antoine recommended that he be held on $15,000 cash bail and orders that he remain alcohol-free, stay away from the victim’s family, and remain within Massachusetts while the case is pending. Judge Mary Ann Driscoll imposed $5,000 bail and the requested conditions of release.

State troopers assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office, along with other State Police assets, Boston Police, and Boston EMS, responded to the area of Morton and Canterbury streets in Mattapan shortly after 10:30 on Saturday night for a fatal collision. Because that section of Morton Street is a state roadway, State Police led the ensuing death investigation.

The investigation – aided by footage from a camera worn by a scooter operator uninvolved in the incident – revealed that Buchanan was operating a rented Dodge Charger at a high rate of speed when he struck Sims, and that he left the scene of the collision.

Investigators traced the rental information to Buchanan and his home address but were unable to locate the suspect himself. While they were searching for him, he surrendered himself to Boston Police at the District B-3 station.

In a statement to State Police hours after the crash, Buchanan allegedly admitted striking Sims and leaving the scene. Buchanan allegedly stated that he’d had two shots of alcohol earlier that day, but troopers observed his eyes to be bloodshot and smelled alcohol on his breath.

Buchanan was represented by attorney Christopher Belezos. He will return to court on Oct. 7.

 

 

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.