Victim identified, suspect’s name released in fatal hit and run crash

Police continue to investigate a fatal hit and run crash that took place on Saturday.

The victim in yesterday’s crash has been identified as Cheryl Pauline Richards, 52, of Somerville.

The driver of the vehicle that struck her, arrested by Massachusetts State Police today, is Zewdu Abate Gedamu, 64, of Roxbury. He was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350.

At this point Gedamu is charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and a crosswalk violation. He was booked today at State Police-Medford. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible based on the results of the investigation.

A bail clerk ordered Gedamu to be held on $1,000 cash bail. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Somerville District Court.

Richards was struck on Mystic Avenue southbound, south of Route 28, in the area of Stop and Shop shortly before 8 p.m. She was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Gedamu allegedly struck the woman continued southbound after the crash.

Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was on foot in the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle.