Attorney Working With Lynch Campaign Struck, Killed In South Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - A prominent Boston attorney who was working for Rep. Stephen Lynch's U.S. Senate campaign was killed Wednesday night.
Bill McDermott, 66, of South Boston, was struck by a Range Rover on Day Boulevard near L Street around 7:30 p.m.
State police say the driver, a 33-year-old South Boston man, called 911 and remained at the scene.
No charges have been filed but the incident remains under investigation.
An attorney who specialized in elections laws, McDermott was well known on Beacon Hill and in City Hall, where he served as an elections commissioner during former Mayor Kevin White's tenure.
"Billy was a numbers guy," said former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn. "He knew how many votes were needed in each ward and precinct and he was a great friend. I was talking to him just the other day about who the next Pope might be."
He had a law office in West Roxbury.
"Billy was truly a special person," said former State Rep. Jim Brett. "He helped me in so many ways."
McDermott was also known as a political operative, having worked on a number of local races.
"Last night we lost our dear friend Bill McDermott," Rep. Lynch said in a statement."For more than 30 years, Billy was a rock for me, Margaret, and countless other friends in South Boston and Dorchester and across Massachusetts. I don't know where we'd be without the love and guidance he gave us. We are heartbroken. Our prayers are with Billy's family today."
Statement from the McDermott family
"Bill McDermott was many things to many people. To us, he was our father, to our children a loving grandfather. He will be sorely missed. When he was with his grandchildren it was magical. It was difficult to tell whose eyes showed more enjoyment, his or the children's."
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields contributed to this report.
