Dog walk turns deadly as hit-and-run suspect charged with murder in Boston
Boston, MA – A quiet Saturday morning dog walk along Commonwealth Avenue ended in tragedy when a vehicle veered onto the mall, struck an elderly pedestrian, and sped away, leaving the victim mortally wounded as his dog was also killed.
At approximately 8:09 a.m. Saturday, officers assigned to the South End and Back Bay area responded to reports of a pedestrian struck at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Hereford Street. The vehicle entered the Commonwealth Avenue Mall and hit a man who was walking his dog before fleeing the scene.
Officers arrived to find Boston EMS treating the victim on the mall walkway. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The victim was identified as 79-year-old John Axelrod of Boston.
Investigators were able to obtain the vehicle’s registration information, and a description was broadcast to surrounding agencies. The Brookline Police Department later located the unoccupied vehicle in Brookline.
Following a joint investigation by the Boston Police Department’s Homicide Unit and Brookline Police, working with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old William Haney of Boston was arrested. He has been charged with murder and cruelty to animals.
Haney is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Monday.
The Boston Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal hit-and-run and is urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
Key Points
- 79-year-old man killed in hit-and-run while walking his dog on Commonwealth Avenue
- Suspect vehicle fled scene and was later found unoccupied in Brookline
- Boston man charged with murder and cruelty to animals
