Hyde Park woman facing charges after driving onto Seaport sidewalk and intentionally striking victim

BOSTON, August 6, 2023 – A Hyde Park woman was arraigned Monday in South Boston BMC on charges that she drove onto a Seaport sidewalk last weekend, struck a pedestrian, left her car and attacked the pedestrian, struck a street pole and a fire hydrant while fleeing the scene, and then resisted arrest, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

EMILY VERROCHI, 28, was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (car), malicious destruction of property over $1,200, and resisting arrest. Judge Michael Bolden set bail at $1,000 and ordered Verrochi to stay away from the victim and the Seaport neighborhood.

Verrochi is due back in court on October 13 for a pre-trial hearing.

At about 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 30, Massachusetts State police responded to the corner of Northern Avenue and Harborview Lane for a single vehicle crash and possible physical altercation. Officers observed a Nissan Altima with heavy front end and undercarriage damage.

Witnesses told police they observed Verrochi driving erratically in the middle of the street and then onto the sidewalk, where she struck a pedestrian.

Verrochi told police she was a passenger in the vehicle, not the driver, and that two other passengers assaulted her and fled after the crash.

However, surveillance footage shows Verrochi driving the vehicle with no other passengers. Verrochi is seen making u-turns and continually passing a specific group of people on the sidewalk. She then drives onto the sidewalk at the corner of Northern Avenue at Harborview Lane, where she strikes the victim, a male, before exiting her car and attacking him. Verrochi then returns to her car, makes another u-turn and hits a fire hydrant and light pole.

The victim, who later claimed to not know Verrochi, sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment.

Verrochi resisted arrest, causing troopers to fall to the ground. Verrochi sustained minor facial injuries in the incident.

Verrochi has a 10-page record and has been convicted of several assault and battery charges.

“This is extraordinarily dangerous conduct, particularly in a residential and destination area heavy with patrons exiting restaurants and bars. To place pedestrians who are simply enjoying a Boston summer evening in such imminent danger is beyond irresponsible—it is reckless and, potentially, lethal.  I’m grateful the victim sustained no serious injuries and that others weren’t hurt,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications