Fatal pedestrian crash: eighth graders launch clothing business: 5 top stories last week

Kathy Bossa, The Enterprise
·4 min read

BROCKTON − The Brockton driver who struck a pedestrian before beating him with a brick was ordered held without bail in Brockton District Court on a murder charge.

A Bridgewater father questioned the accuracy of meeting minutes about his son. Here's what he says happened when he tried to record the next meeting.

Two eighth graders from North Middle School launched a business to show the world that nothing is out of reach, regardless of your age.

The Brockton Fire Department held a graduation ceremony for firefighters who recently completed the department's training program.

A 14-year-old boy was severely injured when he was stabbed on Court Street, Brockton Police said. Four teenagers are being charged with the armed robbery and three of them with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

In case you missed it, here are five of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area.

'Heinous, gruesome': Brockton driver deliberately hit pedestrian in fatal crash, DA says

The Brockton driver who struck a pedestrian before beating him with a brick was ordered held without bail in Brockton District Court on a murder charge.  Vasco Semedo, 45, of Brockton, was arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly struck a pedestrian twice with his blue Toyota Rav 4 before he exited the vehicle and struck the victim in the head with a brick 20 times, Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said at Semedo's arraignment Monday morning. The victim, later identified as 50-year-old Stuart Smith, died of his injuries later that night.

Driver deliberately hit pedestrian: 'Heinous, gruesome': Brockton driver deliberately hit pedestrian in fatal crash, DA says

DIrver faces attempted murder charge:: Driver faces attempted murder charge in Brockton pedestrian crash

Brockton Fire and EMS arrived at the scene to render aid to the 50-year-old male pedestrian at 88 North Main St. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 who was struck by a vehicle and suffered possibly life-threatening injuries, police said.
Brockton Fire and EMS arrived at the scene to render aid to the 50-year-old male pedestrian at 88 North Main St. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 who was struck by a vehicle and suffered possibly life-threatening injuries, police said.
Brockton Fire and EMS arrived at the scene to render aid to the 50-year-old male victim at 65 North Main Street on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from a pedestrian accident. Brewster Ambulance transported him to the hospital with severe and possibly life-threatening injuries,” according to a statement from police. “State Police Detectives have joined Brockton Detectives in investigating this case. It remains an active scene,” said police. The driver of the vehicle involved stayed on the scene and was placed into custody. A utility pole was knocked down.

Bridgewater dad who says B-R violated his First Amendment rights appeals to Supreme Court

Scott and Roxanne Pitta were on a virtual call with Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District special education staff during COVID to discuss an individualized education program for their son. Scott Pitta told the group that he was video recording the meeting. The district's special education administrator informed him that he couldn't do that and ended the meeting when he didn't stop the recording. That decision has led to multiple court cases and now even a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bridgewater father sues B-R: Bridgewater dad who says B-R violated his First Amendment rights appeals to Supreme Court

Scott and Roxanne Pitta, of Bridgewater, with their son J.J.
Scott and Roxanne Pitta, of Bridgewater, with their son J.J.

14-year-old boy 'severely' injured in Brockton stabbing during armed robbery — 4 charged

A 14-year-old boy was severely injured when he was stabbed on Court Street, Brockton Police said. Four teenagers are being charged with the armed robbery that "resulted" in the 14-year-old being stabbed, police said. His "injuries are severe but not life-threatening," police said in a written statement Friday night of the teen, who was transported to a hospital. Three of the four teens also face an assault and battery charge with a dangerous weapon, police said.

:Boy injured in Brockton stabbing: 14-year-old boy 'severely' injured in Brockton stabbing during armed robbery — 4 charged

Brockton police investigate a stabbing of a 14-year-old boy behind Cardinal Spellman High School on Court Street on Friday, April 5, 2024. Police said the stabbing had nothing to do with the high school.
Brockton police investigate a stabbing of a 14-year-old boy behind Cardinal Spellman High School on Court Street on Friday, April 5, 2024. Police said the stabbing had nothing to do with the high school.

Hanson twins undergo lifesaving operation. Why they needed surgery and how they're doing

A Hanson couple's twin boys received a lifesaving operation from Boston's Children's Hospital, leading them to live an everyday life like their parents intended. Shannon Hogan and her boyfriend Mike Staples never thought in a million years their twin boys would develop twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which is when one twin receives too much blood flow and the other too little while in utero due to an imbalance in the placenta's blood vessels.

Twins have lifesaving operation: Hanson twins undergo lifesaving operation. Why they needed surgery and how they're doing

Shannon Hogan and her boyfriend Mike Staples of Whitman hold their twins Luke and Liam Staples, who turned 10 months old on April 6, 2024. The twins underwent successful surgery to correct twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which is when one twin receives too much blood flow and the other too little while in utero due to an imbalance in the placenta's blood vessels.

Brockton middle schoolers launch clothing brand to inspire others to dream big

Two eighth graders from North Middle School in Brockton launched a business to show the world that nothing is out of reach, regardless of your age. Jaziah Xavier Wilson, 14, and Jonathan Robalo, 13, are headed to Brockton High School next year with a plan and dreams more significant than they could have ever imagined. Wilson came up with the idea and asked his classmate Robalo to join in and share his creative vision. Together, they launched The 222 Apparel brand, selling sweat suits and T-shirts to the community.

Middle schoolers launch business: Brockton middle schoolers launch '222' clothing brand to inspire others to dream big

Brockton middle schoolers Jaziah Xavier Wilson,14, left, and Jonathan Robalo,13, and their model, center, sport Wilson and Robalo's newly launched clothing brand The 222 Apparel. They started this brand in hopes of being like other popular brands in Brockton including Banks & Branco, Dreams From The East and Cash's Closet.
Brockton middle schoolers Jaziah Xavier Wilson,14, left, and Jonathan Robalo,13, and their model, center, sport Wilson and Robalo's newly launched clothing brand The 222 Apparel. They started this brand in hopes of being like other popular brands in Brockton including Banks & Branco, Dreams From The East and Cash's Closet.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today. 

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton-area top 5 stories: Fatal crash; teens clothing brand