BOSTON, July 21, 2017—A Mattapan woman was arraigned today on charges she intentionally struck Darnella Grossett-Kellam with a minivan after an argument, causing injuries that claimed the 51-year-old victim’s life three weeks later, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

AMARA SMOTHERS (D.O.B. 10/30/76) was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of crash causing personal injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  After Smothers walked into court today, Clerk Magistrate Ed Curley released her on her own recognizance with orders that she be subject to GPS monitoring, remain drug- and alcohol-free subject to random screening, and stay away and have no contact with the victim’s family.

Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum told the court that Smothers was in the area of Julien and Gayland Streets on the afternoon of March 2 when she encountered Grossett-Kellam, whom she had known for several years.  The women became involved in a verbal argument.

After the argument ended, Grossett-Kellam began to leave the area on foot.  Prosecutors said Smothers, who had been drinking, entered a Dodge Caravan and intentionally backed the vehicle onto the sidewalk and into Grossett-Kellam, who suffered a serious leg injury. Smothers placed the vehicle in drive and left the area.

Approximately 25 minutes after the crash, Boston Police responded to a call from Smothers reporting that she had been robbed by the victim.  Officers observed that she appeared highly intoxicated, and she allegedly became belligerent and did not provide information when asked by police for additional details.

Grossett-Kellam was transported to a hospital with a crushed fibula.  After receiving care at the hospital and at a rehabilitation center, she was released from the facility but began to suffer shortness of breath on March 22.  She sought treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton and died a day later of a pulmonary embolism that resulted from the injuries suffered when she was struck by Smothers’ vehicle, prosecutors said.

Jennifer Sears is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Smothers was represented by Michael Bourbeau.  She returns to court Sept. 12.

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