GPS distraction blamed for Mendon pedestrian death

MENDON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Police say an 18-year-old woman distracted by her GPS struck and killed a man walking along the side of a Mendon road.

Chief Ernest Horn says the Franklin woman told investigators she was not familiar with the area and glanced down to adjust her GPS navigation system.

Horn says she struck 56-year-old Danvirgil Zamfir of Woonsocket, R.I., who had parked his pickup truck in front of Nipmuc Marine & Auto and was walking alongside the vehicle to a boat trailer, just after noon on Wednesday.

Zamfir was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The woman was not arrested but will be summoned to court to face charges of vehicular homicide, driving to endanger, impeded driving and failing to stay in marked lanes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group