Vehicular homicide citation for driver in Northampton crash that killed pedestrian

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A driver who struck a pedestrian that later died from severe head injuries, is being cited for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation.

According to a statement from Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Steven Gagne, police issued a citation to Derek Graves of Chesterfield on Thursday. This comes following the death of 35 year-old Pallav Parakh of Hatfield, who suffered critical head injuries after being struck by Graves’ car on New South Street in Northampton on Halloween afternoon.

Parakh died at Baystate Medical Center nearly two weeks after the accident.

Gagne says that the decision to cite Graves came after the Northampton Police and the DA’s office completed their investigation.

If convicted of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, Graves could receive up to 2 ½ years in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, and lose his license for 15 years.