Victim identified in fatal late night hit-and-run in Mattapan
The victim of Saturday’s fatal hit-and-run in Mattapan was identified by the authorities Sunday morning as Pierre Desir, 40, of Boston.
Desir was struck near the intersection of Morton and Fuller streets just after midnight Saturday morning and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the State Police.
On Sunday morning, investigators spoke with the driver of a white taxi cab who witnessed the crash, according to a statement released by Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.
Witnesses told investigators the taxi had been seen in the area around the time of the crash. Video footage indicated the cab had not been not been damaged in any collision, leading investigators to believe that it was not involved in the crash, according to the statement.
After reviewing the video footage and witness statements, officials said they believe the vehicle involved in the collision was a dark-colored four-door sedan with front-end damage, including a missing headlight. The vehicle could be a 1999 to 2004 Honda Accord, according to the statement from the district attorney.
On Sunday, Desir’s family members gathered at a relative’s home in Mattapan, grieving their loss. They declined to comment to a reporter.
Adrienne Stephens-Liverpool, Desir’s mother, told several television stations on Saturday that her son was a father of five.
On Sunday afternoon, a neighbor of Desir working in his yard said he was saddened to hear about the death.
“He was a good family man, and he was always working to support his family,’’ said William Dickerson. “It’s really a shame that someone would hit a person so undeserving. The whole family is devastated now.’’
On social media, friends remembered Desir, who also went by TJ Desir and TJ Stephens, and expressed outrage for his death.
“HOW CAN YOU RUN SOMEONE DOWN LIKE A DOG, AND KEEP MOVING??’’ wrote Raynise J. Salters, a friend of Stephens-Liverpool. “REST IN THE SWEETNESS OF PARADISE TJ.’’
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817.
