BOSTON, Dec. 11, 2013—The investigation into a fatality involving a Revere woman struck by an MBTA bus continues today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
State Police detectives assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office – with the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and troopers from the Revere barracks – are working with Revere Police and MBTA Transit Police to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the death last night of 52-year-old Gayle Johnson on Broadway.
Based on evidence developed through last night and into this morning, investigators believe Johnson was struck somewhere in the vicinity of 400 Broadway shortly before 7:00 p.m. by a bus that had been travelling along Route 110 trip. It was headed south on Broadway at the time of the collision.
Investigators were able to identify the 56-year-old driver of that bus in the aftermath of the collision. State troopers spoke with him and attempted to interview him; he requested a lawyer. In their brief interaction, investigators did not observe him to show obvious signs of intoxication
Pursuant to MBTA policy, the driver was subjected to testing for the use of drugs and alcohol. Because that testing is mandatory, however, investigators may not obtain its results without a court order – a civilian driver in the same position, for example, would have the opportunity to decline a Breathalyzer test, which under Massachusetts law may only be administered voluntarily. Investigators last night began the legal process of obtaining that order.
State Police crash reconstruction experts are working to determine the speed of the bus at the time of impact. State and local investigators are also retrieving video surveillance imagery from any agencies or establishments with cameras in the area.
“Since its first moments, this has been a careful and methodical investigation,” Conley said. “Ms. Johnson and her loved ones deserve nothing less than our best efforts.”
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
