Police pass on Tufts death investigation

By George P. Hassett

   The Somerville Police have passed the investigation of a 22 year old Tufts students‚Äô death on to the state police because of a conflict of interest.
   Boryana Damyanova was struck by two cars and killed Tuesday Nov.22 when she was crossing Broadway at Wallace Street near Powderhouse Sq. One of the drivers who struck Damyanova is related to a Somerville Police Officer, said Lt. Paul Upton.
   ‚ÄúThis is a no-win situation for us,‚Äù said Upton. ‚ÄúIf we did our job and then decided not to file charges, there would be a lot of suspicious people out there. So to avoid any conflict of interest, the State Police will handle this investigation.‚Äù
    Upton said Damyanova was initially struck by a vehicle heading westbound toward Arlington. He said the driver of that vehicle was Francis D. Privitera, a 74 year old Somerville attorney. Once hit,  Damyanova was thrown to the other side of the street and struck by a second vehicle heading eastbound, he said.
    Damyanova, who came from Bulgaria to study at Tufts, was transported to Somerville Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m.
     Upton said the incident is being investigated by the State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. At this time, speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the incident, he said.