Driver Cited In Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, MA — Days after a 27-year-old woman walking across the street was killed when she was hit by a dump truck Friday night in Cambridge, the driver has been cited for negligent operation, according to the Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr.

A 54-year-old Methuen man was cited for negligent operation in connection with operating a commercial dump truck that fatally struck the pedestrian, identified as Jie Zhao, 27 of Cambridge, on October 5 in the area of Magazine Street and Putnam Avenue.

So far the investigation suggests that at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Friday the driver of the truck was traveling on Putnam Avenue toward Newton Street just past the intersection of Magazine Street when, in an apparent attempt to turn right onto Magazine Street, he began to back up the vehicle. The driver subsequently struck the victim with the rear of the vehicle. Zhao was pronounced dead on scene.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Cambridge Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section are still investigating.

The name of the driver is not being released at this time and a court date has not been scheduled, according to the DA's office.

Previously: Woman Fatally Struck By Truck In Cambridge

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff