Woman Charged In Hit And Run That Killed Framingham Boy Pleads Not Guilty

WORCESTER, MA—A woman pleaded not guilty to charges involving a hit-and-run that killed a four-year-old boy from Framingham in Milford on Easter Sunday this year, according to reports.

Melissa Knight, 54, of Milford, was arraigned on Thursday in Worcester Superior Court and charged with leaving the scene of personal injury accident resulting in death, and also withholding evidence from criminal proceedings, reports the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Knight was released on bail, and ordered not to drive. Her case is continued to Oct. 16.

Jonathan Loja, 4, was killed when he ran onto Water Street while playing in his grandmother's yard on April 16.

Police originally searched for a red Scion they believed had been at the scene during the time of the crash, but dismissed it, ultimately focusing on two other vehicles, narrowing it down to one.

Knight was placed under arrest by detectives in Newton around 2:30 p.m. on May 4.

A fundraiser was set up shortly after the death of Loja, who was from Framingham, and the youngest of three children. According to the GoFundMe post, the family was hoping for donations to help bring his body home to his parents' home country of Ecuador.

Photo Credit: Milford Police Department