Posted Dec 21, 2016 at 9:16 AM
Updated Dec 21, 2016 at 7:22 PM
By Bill Shaner

FRAMINGHAM - A Framingham man was held on bail after police said he hit a pedestrian with his car then fled the scene Tuesday night.

Tiago Veira, 23, of 185 Beaver St., hit and dragged a 27-year-old Framingham woman while driving a Ford Taurus on Beaver Street by Mary Dennison field at 7:09 p.m., according to an affidavit filed at Framingham District Court.

The woman was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston with what were described as "serious multiple injuries" and is in critical condition, police said. She was left bleeding from the head and shoulder with scrapes all over her body, her shoes missing and clothes torn, after being dragged about 100 feet, police said.

After striking the woman, Veira got out of the car and fled into a nearby wooded area, according to the police report. Framingham and Natick police, including a K-9 team from Natick, found him quickly and arrested him.

Police spoke to the Taurus' owner, who said he had loaned the car to Veira prior to the crash.

Veira was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license and leaving the scene of the crash after knowingly causing personal injury.

Judge Martine Carroll set bail at $5,000, with several other conditions, at Veira's arraignment Wednesday morning, slashing the District Attorney's Office request for $10,000 bail, but not humoring the request of Veira's defense for a "reasonable" $2,000 bail.

While Assistant District Attorney Daniel Storms' argument centered on the fact Veira fled the scene of a serious accident, Veira's defense attorney Donna Paruti argued the woman jumped in front of the car, leaving no time for Veira to react. Veira doesn't speak English. Paruti argued that he fled the scene because a crowd had gathered and he couldn't communicate with them. Instead, he went to a cousin's house nearby to ask what he should do, said Paruti.

While Paruti argued on his behalf, Veira began to sob.

"As you can see, he's full of remorse," said Paruti.

She argued he has no prior record and that "bail is not to be punitive."

Veira has a detainer out from the U.S. Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which, she said, makes bail irrelevant. Veira told police he has an upcoming court date with ICE and that he's been in the country a year and two months, according to the report. He also told police he had been arrested while crossing the border illegally.

Along with bail, Carroll set several conditions requested by the District Attorney's Office. He's ordered to stay away from the victim, to not drive and to surrender his passport.

He's due back in court on Jan. 17.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/ne...0-bail?start=2