Attorney charged with vehicular homicide

By George P. Hassett

Criminal charges have been filed against a Somerville businessman who allegedly struck and killed a Tufts student Nov. 22 at Powderhouse Square.

Francis D. Privitera faces two charges — one criminal and one civil — as a result of the crash that killed 22 year old Boryana Damyanova, who had come to Somerville from Bulgaria to study international relations.

Trooper Thomas Ryan, of the Massachusetts State Police, said Privitera is being charged with vehicular homicide by reckless operation, a criminal misdemeanor, and failure to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk, a civil charge.

The State Police took over the investigation because Privitera’s son-in-law, Mike Kennelly, is a Somerville Police officer.

On the night of the fatal accident Privitera was driving west on Broadway at 6:20 p.m. when he struck Damyanova at a well-lit crosswalk, said Lt. Paul Upton of the Somerville Police Department.

Once hit, she was thrown to the other side of the street and struck by another vehicle traveling east, a truck driven by Gina Furtado of Medford. Upton said Damyanova was pronounced dead at Somerville Hospital at 7:20 p.m.

Only Privitera is being cited for Damyanova’s death. Speed and alcohol are not considered to be factors, said police.

Privitera owns land throughout Somerville, and even owns a building just a short distance from where the deadly accident took place. He could not be reached for comment at his Union Square law office. Damyanova was buried in her home country the first weekend of December.