July 16, 2009 – Fredy E. Zepeda, 35, from Brighton, Massachusetts, has died as a result of serious personal injuries sustained when he was struck by a rental car on Wednesday. Zepeda was hit while he was strapping his one year old son into a car seat. The rental car was being driven by Cathy Burgin-August, 47, of Watertown, Massachusetts.
The accident occurred Wednesday morning in front of Zepeda’s home located at the intersection of Cambridge and Gordon streets in Brighton. Burgin-August continued to drive for two blocks after her car hit Zepeda. She was eventually forced to pull over by a livery car driver, who witnessed the accident.
Zepeda was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. His injuries were described by the Boston Police as massive head trauma. Neither the child, nor Zepeda’s wife, who was also inside the vehicle, were injured.
Burgin-August was arraigned in Brighton District Court this morning. She was charged with several violations, including leaving the scene of an accident where a person was injured. She was released on $1000.00 bail.
According to the police report filed Thursday, there was a prescription drug bottle found in the vehicle containing 20 tablets of Clonezapam, a drug used to control seizures and treat epilepsy. Burgin-August was not charged with driving while impaired or under the influence.
According to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Burgin-August has been found at fault in at lease five car accidents since 2004. The Registry has indefinitely suspended her license after Wednesday’s accident.
Source: Boston.com