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Driver Charged Months After Hitting, Killing Teen On VFW Parkway

WEST ROXBURY (CBS) - A Dedham man accused of fatally striking a West Roxbury teen in June was arraigned on motor vehicle homicide and other charges on Wednesday.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports.

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Initially, Zyoma Vasserman was not charged in the accident on June 14, when 17-year-old Francis McInerney was struck and killed as he and several friends were crossing the VFW Parkway. Witnesses said McInerney pushed a friend out of the way before he was hit.

"You know, he did what he did. His friends were very important to him. They say life is short, but life can be very long without that person in it," said McInerney's mom Christina.

Months later, charges were filed because prosecutors said Vasserman was going 59 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone.

"It just left such a void. We just miss him terribly, and he was our only son," said Francis's mom Christina.

Defense attorney Melvin Norris said this was just a terrible accident.

"The victim was not in the crosswalk. The light was green for my client," said Norris.

Prosecutors didn't seek bail for Vasserman, but the court banned him from driving.

A pre-trial date has been set for Feb. 21.

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