SHREWSBURY – A Worcester man has pleaded guilty to a fatal hit-and-run in Shrewsbury.
In 2023, Jerry Santiago Jr. and Justina Riopelle, both of Worcester, were indicted by a grand jury. In October 2022, the Shrewsbury Police Department and State Police Detectives assigned to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.’s office responded to a hit-and-run on Route 9.
According to Early’s office, the victim — Ghufran Mutar, 20 — was crossing Route 9 at the intersection with South Street while she was one her way home at 10 p.m. after working at CVS when she was hit by a car. She was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center where she later died of her injuries.
In January, Santiago pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash resulting in death and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and reckless operation of a motor vehicle were dismissed.
In court documents recommending his sentence, Santiago’s attorney wrote, “Mr. Santiago recognized the significant and irreversible harm that he has caused to the family and friends of the victim, having lost their young daughter and/or friend from his actions. He understands that the family and friends of the victim will suffer from his crimes for the remainder of their lives. Mr. Santiago understands that there is nothing he can do to repair the damage and pain and lost that he caused.”
His attorney wrote that Santiago is “extremely remorseful for his crimes, and he takes full responsible for them.”
“He is also hopeful that the resolution of this case can bring about some closure to the family and friends of the victim,” the attorney wrote.
Santiago was sentenced to serve not less than four years but not more than six followed by two years of probation. He has credit for serving 441 days.
Riopelle was charged with being an accessory after the fact.
Her case is still pending in Worcester County Superior Court. Her next appearance will be an evidentiary hearing on suppression on Sept. 24.
