A Newton man with a lengthy driving record pleaded not guilty yesterday to killing a West Roxbury teen who was hit while crossing VFW Parkway with friends.
Zyoma Vasserman, 48, was allegedly speeding when he struck Francis McInerney, 17, in June.
Investigators determined Vasserman was driving 59 mph in a 30 mph zone through surveillance video taken of him along the route. Vasserman stayed at the scene of the accident and did not appear intoxicated, according to prosecutors.
Vasserman’s attorney, Melvin Norris, claimed his client wasn’t speeding that night.
“This kid shot out in front of him,” said Norris. “When my client went through the pedestrian walkway the light was green. The deceased was not in the crosswalk.”
Records from the Registry of Motor Vehicles show that Vasserman was cited for 11 moving violations over 28 years, including five counts of speeding.
He was released on personal recognizance but ordered to stop driving.
