RMV: 18-year-old driver charged in fatal crash was cited 3 times this year

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — The driver accused of racing when he hit and killed an off-duty Somerville police officer riding a motorcycle had been cited three times already this year, according to a report.

Michael Ricci, 18, had his license suspended in 2015 because of a late payment for a ticket he got because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, according to Massachusetts RMV records.

But just in the year 2017, the driver’s license report shows Ricci had been cited for speeding, driving without registration and for causing an accident.

That report shows his license was set to be suspended later this month if he didn’t pay those fines.

MORE: Somerville officer's death 'was a preventable accident', chief says

The report also indicates his license was revoked Tuesday morning in the wake of the fatal accident Sunday.

Police say Officer Remigio was off-duty at the time of the crash and was riding his motorcycle when a Mercedes Benz driven by Ricci, crossed from the northbound lanes into oncoming traffic on the southbound side.

“This was a preventable accident,” Somerville Police Chief David Fallon said Wednesday morning. “Louie was a first-class human being and exactly the kind of police officer you want serving your community; he was tough yet kind, empathetic, and fair.”

Ricci was not injured. He was arrested and charged with reckless conduct. He posted the $10,000 cash bail on Monday and will now be arraigned on Oct. 20 at 8:30 a.m.

MORE: Teen accused of racing before crash that critically injured Somerville officer

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