BOSTON (WHDH) - Grief-stricken family members of a man killed in a hit-and-run in Mattapan are speaking out.
Police responded just after 12 a.m. Saturday to a report of a hit-and-run crash in the area of 972 Morton St.
The pedestrian, a Boston man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle that struck the man did not stop and continued traveling west on Morton Street, according to police.
The victim’s family has identified him as 40-year-old TJ Desir.
“That’s my brother, my best friend, my heart,” Desir’s sister, Victoria Nweke, said. “I love that man, he know it.”
Desir’s mother, Adrian Stephens-Liverpool, was looking for answers Saturday. “Why would you hit somebody and just keep going?” she asked. “All I can say is, God is watching.”
Desir’s family said he had five children and worked hard to support them.
“He left stuff behind to carry one and make sure that everything was straight for not just children – myself, my mother, our family,” Nweke said. “My brother didn’t deserve that.”
The heartbroken family hopes someone will come forward to help officers track down the driver.
“I just want to know. I need to know,” Stephens-Liverpool said. “Closure will probably never happen but I just want to see, and I want to ask, ‘Why did you do this to my son?'”
Police say that a taxi driver who was being sought as a witness has come forward to provide information related to the investigation.
Based on that information provided, police now say they are searching for a dark-colored four-door sedan with front-end damage, including a broken headlight. It may be a Honda Accord from 1999-2004.
Witnesses told authorities that a white taxi cab was among the vehicles in the area at the time of the collision. Authorities said based on statements and video footage, investigators are “confident” the cab was not involved in the crash.
State and local police spent several hours overnight photographing the scene and collecting evidence. Authorities have not released any details regarding the driver involved in the crash.
State Police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone else with information is urged to call police at 617-727-8817.
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