Police, Prosecutors Seek Help from Public, Body Shops

BOSTON, June 4, 2018—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today released video clips and images of the vehicle sought in connection with the Mattapan hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 40-year-old Pierre Desir last month and asked the public – especially auto body shops – for help in identifying the car and its driver.

Based on witness statements, video footage, and the analysis of debris left at the scene, investigators now believe the vehicle that struck Desir was an older model Chrysler 300, dark in color and likely blue or black. The four-door sedan sustained front-end damage, including headlight damage and possibly windshield damage.

Auto body shops that may have worked on such a vehicle since May 26 are asked to contact investigators, as is anyone familiar with such a vehicle that was damaged or has been missing since last week.

“It’s possible that this vehicle may have been brought in for repair work during the past week or so,” Conley said. “It may be in a garage or parking lot. Whatever the circumstances, the public’s observations may be our best chance to locate the vehicle, and we ask anyone with information to come forward.”

State Police detectives assigned to Conley’s office continue to investigate the fatal crash that occurred shortly after midnight on May 26 in the area of 972 Morton St. Police responded to a 911 call and found the victim’s body in the right travel lane shortly after midnight. He was pronounced dead at the scene. After interviewing multiple witnesses and consulting with experts for identification assistance, Conley today updated the vehicle’s description and released video and still images in hopes of identifying it.

Video footage from a camera at the intersection of Gallivan Boulevard and Dorchester Avenue shows the vehicle next to a larger SUV travelling westbound on Gallivan Boulevard, travelling from right to left and passing directly in front of the camera. The clip is online at https://youtu.be/47VuAoSV_nE.

Video footage from a camera where Gallivan Boulevard meets Morton Street shows a white taxi on the right side of the frame traveling away from the camera, followed shortly after by the suspect vehicle as both travel onto Morton Street. After an earlier appeal to the public, the driver of the taxi spoke with investigators. The clip is online at https://youtu.be/lrvnb7B9u70.

Anyone with information on the crash, the vehicle, or driver is asked to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817.
The State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and Boston Police have assisted in the investigation.

–30–

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