Crime & Safety

Police ID South End Hit-and-Run Victim

A Dorchester woman was charged with motor vehicle homicide for a Thursday night collision with a pedestrian in the South End that killed 63-year-old Vielisha Pullum.

Christina Martinez, 21, of Dorchester, was arraigned in Roxbury District Court on Friday on charges of motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without her glasses. She was held on $1,000 bail and was forbidden from driving while the case is in court. 

Police said the accident occurred in the area of Northampton Street and Washington Street in the South End around 9 p.m. on Thursday night. Police were called to the scene for a woman who had been struck by a car. The victim, Pullum, was transported to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased. 

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Police allege Martinez, who was driving a grey Toyota Corolla, hit and struck Pullum and the left the scene of the accident.

Martinez then allegedly drove away from the scene without calling 911 and parked it at her Draper Street residence, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. 

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Witnesses at the scene called for help and provided Boston Police with the suspect vehicle’s license plate number, the DA's office said. Detectives ran the vehicle’s registration, travelled to Martinez’ home, and spoke with her. She allegedly made statements taking responsibility for the collision, the DA's office said. 

Martinez is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 23.


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