By Colin Young, News Staff
Man pleads not guilty to upgraded charges
A Roslindale man charged for a hit-and-run accident that killed 2010 Northeastern graduate Andrew Prior Nov. 14, 2010 plead not guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident causing death, Jake Wark, spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, said.
According to officials, 23-year-old Colin Ratiu was driving his mother’s car home from a Kings of Leon concert at TD Garden and was “blackout drunk” at the time of the accident. Prosecutors also allege Ratiu was smoking marijuana before the show.
The 23-year-old Prior, an American Sign Language/English Interpretation major, was killed when the motor scooter he was riding was struck by Ratiu’s SUV on Tremont Street near the Roxbury Crossing MBTA station.
Ratiu was previously charged with the lesser offense of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, but now faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of both upgraded charges.
Ratiu is out of jail on bail and is expected back in Suffolk Superior Court Aug. 4.
Incoming Husky named Miss Massachusetts
Molly Whalen from Middleboro, Mass. was crowned Miss Massachusetts in the 72nd Annual Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant July 9 at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Whalen graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a degree in dental hygiene last spring and is enrolled to pursue her Masters Degree in applied nutrition at Northeastern this fall, according to her online biography.
As Miss Massachusetts, Whalen will receive over $8,500 in scholarships and will represent the state in the 2012 Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.
Bike sharing program coming to campus
New Balance Hubway, a bike sharing and rental service, plans to open three rental facilities around campus starting next week. The program will install 61 rental stations with over 600 bicycles around the city.
Students will be able to register with the service and rent bikes at the Ruggles T station, the North Parking Lot on Hemenway Street and Brigham Circle. Hubway offers annual, three-day and 24-hour memberships and advertises free rides under 30 minutes. The program will kick off July 26 with an inaugural ride and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
