Massachusetts State Police are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian crash that killed a 52-year-old Somerville woman.The suspected driver turned himself in Sunday morning. Zewdu Abate Gedamu, 64, of Roxbury, has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and a crosswalk violation.Police said the victim, later identified as Cheryl Pauline Richards, was struck shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday on Mystic Avenue in the area of Stop & Shop, south of Route 28.Richards was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was later pronounced dead. Police believe the victim was in the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle, which continued south after the crash. A Stop & Shop employee told Adam Bagni, of NewsCenter 5, that he heard a loud crash and saw a dark-colored vehicle stop for a few seconds when he turned around. The witness also said he saw the driver put his head in his hands before taking off in the direction of Interstate 93 south.State police said Gedamu was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 at the time of the crash.Gedamu was booked Sunday at the Medford State Police Barracks. A bail clerk ordered that he be held on $1,000 cash bail. Gedamu is expected to be arraigned Monday in Somerville District Court.The crash remains under state police investigation.

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian crash that killed a 52-year-old Somerville woman.

The suspected driver turned himself in Sunday morning. Zewdu Abate Gedamu, 64, of Roxbury, has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and a crosswalk violation.


Police said the victim, later identified as Cheryl Pauline Richards, was struck shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday on Mystic Avenue in the area of Stop & Shop, south of Route 28.

Richards was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police believe the victim was in the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle, which continued south after the crash.

A Stop & Shop employee told Adam Bagni, of NewsCenter 5, that he heard a loud crash and saw a dark-colored vehicle stop for a few seconds when he turned around. The witness also said he saw the driver put his head in his hands before taking off in the direction of Interstate 93 south.

State police said Gedamu was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 at the time of the crash.

Gedamu was booked Sunday at the Medford State Police Barracks. A bail clerk ordered that he be held on $1,000 cash bail. Gedamu is expected to be arraigned Monday in Somerville District Court.

The crash remains under state police investigation.