BOSTON, July 25, 2014—The driver of a sport-utility vehicle that struck and killed 48-year-old Walter Harris in Mattapan last year was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court today following his indictment for manslaughter, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
The Suffolk County Grand Jury on July 1 returned indictments charging DERVIN HIBBERT (D.O.B. 1/6/61) of Mattapan with manslaughter by motor vehicle and motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence. He was arraigned on those charges, which carry minimum mandatory terms of five years and one year, respectively, today.
Assistant District Attorney Ryan Mingo of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau recommended that he be held on $25,000 cash bail and that he be ordered to surrender his passport and not drive if he posts that amount. Clerk Connie Wong imposed $5,000 cash bail and the requested conditions.
Mingo told the court that Hibbert was operating a Mercury Mountaineer on Cummins Highway at about 8:30 p.m. on the night of Nov. 23, when Harris was standing on the sidewalk outside Crest Liquors near the corner of Ridlon Road.
Hibbert pulled into the parking lane, Mingo said, then accelerated in reverse at a high rate of speed. His SUV travelled up onto the sidewalk for several car-lengths, striking Harris and dragging him for several feet. Harris was killed instantly. Hibbert was travelling at such a high rate of speed that the vehicle tore a fire hydrant out of its mounting in the ground.
Hibbert attempted to drive forward but was stopped by witnesses. When told he struck someone he became hysterical and was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Clinical blood work undertaken by hospital staff was subpoenaed by prosecutors and revealed a blood-alcohol level of .14, well above the legal limit for driving.
Hibbert is represented by attorney Rudy Miller. He will return to court on Sept. 9 and is scheduled for trial on July 20, 2015.
–30–
All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
