Local News

Fight breaks out at arraignment for man charged with murder in Hopkinton road rage death

Ryan Sweatt, 36, was arraigned on a murder charge Tuesday in connection with the death of 26-year-old Destini Decoff.

Destini Decoff who was struck by a vehicle on April 4, 2024. GoFundMe, via The Boston Globe

April 30, 2024

1 minute to read

A fight broke out Tuesday following the arraignment of a Milford man who is charged with murder in an alleged road rage crash earlier this month that killed a 26-year-old woman.

Ryan Sweatt, 36, allegedly struck Destini Decoff, 26, of Milford on April 4 on Route 85 in Hopkinton. Authorities say Sweatt became enraged at another vehicle while driving. Some of the occupants of the other vehicle, including Decoff, got out of the car, prompting Sweatt to allegedly make a U-turn and hit her in the road. She died three days later.

After Sweatt’s arraignment on Tuesday, a fight broke out in a hallway between his family and members of Decoff’s family, WCVB reports. The brawl was halted by police and court officers and no one was seriously injured, according to the station.

Decoff’s mother, Tracey Decoff, told WHDH she didn’t expect the confrontation.

“I didn’t expect for their family to come after us,” she told the station. “You wouldn’t think that way because we didn’t do anything — they did. And as soon as we walked in, they were staring at us as if we did something to them.”

Tense moments with fists flying in Framingham after charges against Milford man involved in alleged road rage case in Hopkinton 3 weeks ago were updated to murder after Destini Decoff died of her injuries…victims mother demanding justice #7News pic.twitter.com/u7yhSISDJz
— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) April 30, 2024

Police told WCVB no arrests were made in connection with the fight.

Sweatt had been previously arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating to endanger, and a marked lanes violation.

According to WCVB, he was held without bail on Tuesday.

Investigators are asking for the public to check and see if they have any home, cell phone, or automotive video footage of Hayden Rowe Street between Hopkinton Middle School and 234 Hayden Rowe St. between 6 and 6:15 p.m. on April 4.

“Investigators are seeking to review footage of any unusual or aggressive driving behavior during that time frame,” police said. “If you have any information please call Hopkinton Police Department Sergeant Gregg DeBoer at 508-497-3401.”