|
|
« Alert: Montalbano settles ethics case for $12,000 | Today | Johnston farm will remain agricultural/ Photo » September 11, 2007Update: Suspect in hit-and-run held without bail/ Photo
Dennis Cherry was taken into custody last night when he turned himself in to police at an East Side Church parking lot. He was charged this morning with one count of leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident, personal injury resulting. Cherry was ordered held without bail after his arraignment in District Court, Providence. The police say he was driving south on Bucklin Street Sunday afternoon, when he went off the road, onto the sidewalk, and struck the two boys -- just feet from their home. Cherry, whose criminal record includes convictions for drug-peddling, motor vehicle theft and possession of an illegal weapon, fled his 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis after the accident without calling for help for the victims, the police alleged. The boys were walking home when they were struck, according to the police.  Family photo IVAN JIMENEZ Ivan was bright, a hard worker, according to teachers at the Alfred A. Lima Sr. Elementary School, where counselors were made available to students yesterday. “He often had a smile on his face” and was “always willing to help kids; since he was one of the smartest ones, he was always helping his classmates,” principal Jose Valerio said. Eric, a seventh grader at Gilbert Stuart Middle School, suffered multiple injuries, including a head injury, and was in critical condition this afternoon at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits and Gregory Smith At a news conference this morning, the Providence police shed some light on the circumstances surrounding Cherry’s surrender. The police had alerted all of its officers and dispatched a six-member team to look for Cherry yesterday, but Cherry turned himself in more than 24 hours after the incident after talking to a pastor who is a friend of his family. Cherry had contacted Olivier Bala, the senior pastor of the Mt. Hope Community Baptist Church. Bala also happens to be Police Chief Dean Esserman’s wife’s pastor; Bala called Esserman and offered to help broker Cherry's surrender. The idea to surrender to the chief of police, however, came from Cherry’s stepfather, who met Esserman by chance at a hospital Sunday. Last night, six officers, including Esserman, met Cherry in the church parking lot, at 734 Hope Street. “We gave them a minute or two to say their goodbyes and then he was placed into custody and driven to the station,” Sgt. Paul Zienowicz said. Cherry's mother, who was at the arraignment this morning, wrote a letter, saying "Dennis, myself, and our family ask for forgiveness and ask for prayers for all involved." Cherry is scheduled for a hearing today in Superior Court for a parole violation. Posted by Brandie Jefferson Commentslaurie | September 11, 2007 1:22 PM link I think this guy should stay in jail for life... I know Ivan and Eric since they were little kids. I used to be in their house with my father... And i think that the word "sorry" would help he should pay for what he did and period... If he was careful driving not speeding this wouldn't happened.... liliana | September 11, 2007 2:35 PM link Laurie, you should call Spider-Boy Patrick Lynch and ask him that very question. It's his office's continued lack of action that allows scum like this to be on the streets terrorizing the rest of us. Greg | September 11, 2007 2:35 PM link I don't understand why they let someone out who has had so many charges against him. This state is out of control! They let him out but they keep someone changed with something like shoplifting in jail for years! Prov resident | September 11, 2007 4:21 PM link MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF THOSE CHILDREN. MAY MY PRAYES BE WITH THEM. AS FOR THE MAN WHO HIT HIM AND LEFT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT I HOPE THE JUDGE THROWS THE BOOK AT HIM! HE KNEW HE HIT THOSE LITTLE BOYS. I HAVE TO CHILDREN MYSELF AND I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IN THAT SITUATION. MICHELLE | September 11, 2007 4:42 PM link My heart and prayers go out to both families. Everone is a victim in all of this. I pray every night for Eric to come to full recovery. I am also praying for Dennis, this would of never happened if drugs was not involved, he is a loving person with a big heart, a man who loves childern, for anyone who knows him knows if he knew what was going on he would of stayed by the two boys side. God bless all who are invoved during this rough time. JAH | September 11, 2007 7:13 PM link Why was he allowed to drive? Julie | September 11, 2007 7:46 PM link hi know wa hi did,hi took off ours litter baby from us and let them die with not help,but gods is now taking care about him,and hi go to pay for ours miss... keniatatis | September 11, 2007 9:02 PM link As a cab driver in the city of Providence I have tried to bring attention to the Providence Police Department the level of wreckless driving in the city without any response - even sending a certified letter to Chief Esserman directly last week - with NO REPLY (have receipt and copy of letter). Ted Lewandowski | September 11, 2007 9:20 PM link My heart goes out for the children of this horrible accident. I also have sympathy for Dennis, who was sincerely working to turn his life around. He has been demonized for his past by the media, but I know him in the present and he is not a monster. I pray Eric recovers and is made whole again and that his family and parents have the love and support from each other, their friends, and the community while they move through this painful transition in their lives. May God bless them. I pray that Dennis feels God love for him also during this time. Donna | September 12, 2007 7:26 AM link My heart goes out to the Jimenez family words and sorryness can't express what you are going threw,but know this that he is smiling down upon you all IVAN sits with JESUS NOW margaret | September 12, 2007 9:06 AM link That was my best friend i loved that kid. To make matters worse I was with him the day before it happend. I love you Ivan Ill miss you. sade | October 24, 2007 7:39 PM link i love ivan as a best friend beacouse he went to my school whitch is alfred a lima elementry school i miss him he was the best friend i ever had he was funny and always was good to studentws Erika | March 25, 2008 5:36 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
|
ADVERTISING |
|
|
|
|
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 |
ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
after all of those violations.. drug peddling..mv theft..weapons.. why was this man free? now there are 2 parents out there with part of there heart and soul ripped out.