Victim ID'd In 'Heinous' Melrose Hit-And-Run

MELROSE, MA — Police are searching for a vehicle that was driving the wrong way when it struck an elderly man on Herbert Street early Monday morning. The 85-year-old Melrose man suffered serious, life-threatening injuries.

Malden Catholic headmaster Thomas Doherty identified the victim Monday night as Ed Bozzo. Bozzo is listed as the school's archivist.

Chief Michael Lyle said Bozzo was out on a morning walk when he was struck around 5:45 a.m. Responders arrived to find him laying in the road. He was taken to a Boston hospital.

Police said Bozzo was struck from behind and dragged before the vehicle fled.

Herbert Street is a one-way near St. Mary's Parish. Police said the vehicle was apparently driving in the wrong direction.

The vehicle should have front-end damage - likely on the passenger's side. It was likely headed south on Berwick Street toward West Wyoming, Main, or Grove, police said.

"This is is a particularly heinous hit-and-run that left a resident with traumatic injuries that are life-threatening," Lyle said. "The person who did this knows what they did. I encourage the driver to come forward, and anyone who might have seen or heard something between 5:30-5:45 this morning is urgently asked to call the Melrose Police Department."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Melrose Police Sgt. Jon Goc at 781-665-1212.

Photo by Mike Carraggi, Patch