Brockton man held without bail after allegedly fatally hitting man with car twice, then with a brick over 20 times

BROCKTON – A Brockton man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he struck and killed a pedestrian in Brockton, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced. 

Monday in Brockton District Court, 45-year-old Vasco Semedo pleaded not guilty to one count each of Murder and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and he was held without bail. 

At approximately 8:53 a.m. on Saturday, Brockton Police received several 911 calls for reports of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash at 65 North Main Street. Upon arrival, Brockton Police located the operator of the motor vehicle, Semedo, being detained by people at the scene. Police located the male victim, unresponsive on the pavement in front of the motor vehicle. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital before being medflighted to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased of his injuries last night at 10:34 p.m. He has been identified as 50-year-old Stuart Smith. 

Semedo was arrested on scene and Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office to begin the investigation. Through witness accounts and surveillance video footage, investigators found that Semedo, operating a Toyota Rav 4, struck Smith with his motor vehicle, backed up, drove into the victim again, before exiting the vehicle and striking Smith more than 20 times with a brick as he lay on the ground. Bystanders on scene detained Semedo until Brockton Police arrived and placed him under arrest. 

Friends of Smith expressed sadness and love toward the victim and vowed that justice would be served.

Semedo is next scheduled to appear in court on May 14th for a probable cause hearing.