Charges filed against driver in cyclist's death, Massachusetts

The family of a cyclist who was killed in a crash in Newton, Massachusetts, has announced that charges will be brought against the driver involved. John Corcoran, 62, was riding his bicycle along Memorial Drive in Cambridge when he was struck by an SUV in September 2024. The driver, a man in his 20s, reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Corcoran was riding on the sidewalk at the time of the incident. Although no charges were filed at first, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office is now moving forward with three misdemeanor charges against the driver, according to Corcoran's family. Corcoran's widow, Barbara Bower, shared that officials informed them about the upcoming charges. She expressed relief, saying that the uncertainty of the situation had been difficult for the family. The charges include negligent motor vehicle homicide, among others. A police report revealed that the driver claimed he was distracted by a bee when the crash occurred. Bower questioned this explanation, stating that the driver’s actions were not an appropriate response to a distraction. A witness to the crash, Olivia Farrar, mentioned that the driver appeared shocked and upset immediately after the incident. She observed that he seemed confused but did not mention anything about a bee. In response to the tragedy, changes have been made to improve safety along the road where Corcoran was killed. Bower emphasized that the driver was at fault, stating that there should not have been a collision under those circumstances. The district attorney's office has not confirmed the specific charges, and the driver's identity has not been disclosed as he has not been officially charged.