CHARLESTOWN, Mass. — A pedestrian was hit and killed by a driver who left the scene on Route 99 in Charlestown Thursday night, not far from the Encore casino, officials said.
Now, police say, they are looking for a white pickup truck seen near where the hit-and-run happened.
"At the time of the incident, the above-pictured motor vehicle was observed traveling on Alford Street in the direction of Everett," a post on BPDNews.com states. "The vehicle is described as a white colored Ford F150 pickup with plywood fencing on the truck bed."
The truck may have damage to its grille and front end, according to the release.
Police were called around 11:22 p.m to 99 Alford St. in Charlestown, near the Everett line, for reports of a pedestrian that was hit by a car, according to James Moccia, a Boston police spokesperson.
The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the car that allegedly hit the victim had left the area, he said.
People living near the Boston-Everett line were devastated to hear a man lost his life crossing Alford Street near the new casino.
"I feel horrible for them," said Melissa Troisi, a casino patron. "I can't even imagine what it's like."
The vehicle was last observed entering the rotary in the area of Broadway and Main Street in Everett.
That's a little crazy [...that] someone could get away with running somebody over," said Mark Alfeiri, who lives nearby. "There's cameras everywhere."
People who live nearby say, ever since Encore Boston Harbor Casino opened its doors, the now-busy roads are a safety issue.
"Before it wasn't as bad," said Alfeiri. "Traffic was usually congested, super slow, so it was never really a problem getting across. Now though they did a lot of work. A lot of people are diverting to come to the casino, so a lot more cars flying by."
Troisi's husband works nearby. She says she worries about him getting hit walking across the busy road.
"We just walked from his work, so it's scary," she said. "And everyone is coming over here. It's scary."
Many people in the area want more traffic control, but they say until then they'll be extra careful when crossing the intersection.
"That will always be on my mind," said Troisi. "Definitely cross, look both ways and hope that people are paying attention and not on their phones."
Boston 25 News has reached out to Encore Casino to learn what is being done to ensure the safety of pedestrians walking to and from the casino. The casino has not replied at the time of publication.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner.