Arlington Man Arraigned On Charges In Connection With Pedestrian Death In 2013

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that an Arlington man was arraigned today in connection with a charge that the vehicle he was driving struck a woman crossing a street in Arlington last year and caused injuries leading to the woman’s death.

Paul Giragosian, 67, of Arlington was arraigned in Cambridge District Court on a charge of motor vehicle homicide.  Middlesex District Court Judge Roanne Sragow released Giragosian on personal recognizance with conditions, including, that he not drive a motor vehicle.  Giragosian is due next in court on February 11, 2015.

“A 77 year old woman was tragically killed as she tried to use the crosswalk to get safely across the street,” said District Attorney Ryan.  “People need to be mindful of their obligations to pedestrians who are using crosswalks.”

Authorities say that on December 19, 2013, a vehicle struck Elba Ortiz-Delgado as she was walking across Massachusetts Avenue near the intersection of Orvis Road.  Ortiz-Delgado was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.  A medical examiner concluded the cause of death was blunt trauma to the head and torso.  Authorities say that when they spoke with Giragosian at the scene of the accident on December 19, 2013, he identified himself as the operator of the vehicle which struck the woman. 

This charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Radu Brestyan.  The Victim Witness Advocate is Lonni Scott.  The case was investigated by the Arlington Police Department.