Driver Arrested After Allegedly Leaving The Scene of Framingham Hit-And-Run Collision That Killed Philip Bligh
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (September 11, 2026) – A 62-year-old pedestrian identified as Philip Bligh has tragically died in a Framingham hit-and-run car accident on Hollis Street.
Middlesex County officials are saying that the accident occurred around 10:30 PM on Monday. Philip Bligh was walking when he was hit by a pickup truck.
The driver of that pickup truck did not remain at the scene and allegedly fled on foot. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Philip Bligh was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital with critical injuries.
Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The driver of the pickup truck was eventually captured and has been arraigned on a variety of charges related to the collision.
DiBella Law remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Liability for Framingham Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to use reasonable care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, § 14, any driver approaching a pedestrian on the roadway must slow down and yield when they are crossing a crosswalk and close enough to pose a hazard. Any driver involved in a collision is also required to remain at the scene and exchange insurance information with affected parties. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating liability for any truck accident in Massachusetts.
- Speed: The speed of the driver involved should always be taken into consideration.
- Crosswalk: The condition of the crosswalk is also important to consider. It matters whether or not drivers had a line of sight that allowed them to see pedestrians.
- Visibility: Lighting at the crosswalk and weather conditions are also important. During periods of low visibility, drivers should generally slow down.
- Driver Factors: It also matters whether or not a driver may have been distracted by looking at their phone or potentially intoxicated by some substance.
When a driver fails to slow down or use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian that is crossing the road, they could be held legally responsible through civil action. Consider, for example, Catanese v. MacEntee, 333 Mass. 132. In that case, a pedestrian was injured after being hit by a city-owned truck making a left turn while crossing at an intersection. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the driver failed to use caution as they were making the left turn. The court also concluded that a jury could find a reasonable driver should have been able to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
Gathering Evidence After a Pedestrian Collision
Pedestrians lack the protections afforded by enclosed vehicles and are substantially more likely to be seriously injured or killed in the event of a crash. According to one report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 7,314 pedestrian fatalities in the United States for 2023 alone. Roughly 77% of those pedestrian fatalities occurred during periods of darkness. This is why it is so important that pedestrian crosswalks are properly illuminated. Evidence should be properly gathered after any pedestrian collision.
- Many traffic intersections across Massachusetts are covered by traffic cameras. The surveillance footage captured by these cameras can be enormously helpful in identifying liable parties.
- Medical records related to a person’s injuries and physical damage to the affected vehicles can also help paint a clear picture of what happened. This is true even in the total absence of eyewitnesses.
- All of the electronic records related to the collision should also be collected. This may include the phone records of the driver.
- The crash site itself should be well documented through photographs and other measures. Accident reconstruction experts can help piece together what happened based on the scene of a collision.
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable. In many cases, they involve drivers that are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions or intoxicated. Unfortunately, as cities and municipalities across Massachusetts have continued to grow, the infrastructure to keep pedestrians safe has not kept pace. The family of any person who died in a pedestrian collision may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Framingham Pedestrian Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Philip Bligh. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. This was a deeply unfortunate tragedy that should have never taken place. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar collisions at this intersection.
Do you need more information about a Massachusetts pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to support you. We are committed to helping people understand their rights and holding negligent drivers fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.