Son Of Framingham Man Killed In Worcester Sets Up Fundraiser

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The family of a man killed by a driver while crossing a Worcester street last week is raising money to transport him home to Brazil. Devalter Marini Rocha, 54, died after he was hit just after midnight on Nov. 25.

Rocha's son, Bruno Rocha, has set up a $14,500 GoFundMe campaign to bring his father back to Brazil. As of Monday morning, the fundraiser was only about halfway to its goal.

"My brothers and my mother wish I could be getting him in Brazil," Bruno Rocha wrote in his appeal. "I thank you in advance, and may God bless anyone who can help me, either financially or with a prayer."

According to Worcester police, the collision happened at around 12:15 a.m. near Chandler and May streets near Worcester State University. Rocha was crossing the street when Ian McGrath, 23, of Worcester, slammed into him, police said.

McGrath is now facing 10 charges, including vehicular homicide by negligent operation and vehicular homicide by reckless operation. Devalter Rocha was the second pedestrian to die on a Worcester street within a few hours. A 66-year-old man was hit and killed by a driver at around 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 along Park Avenue, about seven hours before Rocha died.