BELMONT – Authorities say the Hudson man, who is accused of fatally killing another man in his pickup truck in Belmont on Tuesday afternoon, yelled at him with racist slurs shortly before during a roadside argument.
Belmont Police arrested Dean Kapsalis, 54, of Hudson after the incident at 4:22 p.m. on Upland Road.
According to Middlesex prosecutors, Kapsalis and Boston victim Henry Tapia, 35, got into an argument on Upland Road.
During the dispute, Kapsalis began “yelling racist slurs at the victim, a black man,” police witnesses said.
“Witnesses said they heard the two men arguing before the victim allegedly went back to his vehicle, a Honda Civic,” prosecutors said in a statement. “At that time, the defendant allegedly got into his vehicle, a Dodge Dakota pickup truck, and drove towards the victim, who hit him in the driver’s side of his vehicle and dragged him a short distance before escaping the scene.”
Tapia was conscious when the rescue workers first arrived, but later died in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
The police alerted the surrounding communities to look for a red pickup truck, but Kapsalis made himself available about half an hour after the incident, the authorities said.
Police accused Kapsalis of the attack and the battery with a dangerous weapon. a violation of civil rights that leads to violations; and leaving the accident site, which leads to personal injury.
Prosecutors said the case is still under investigation and further charges may come.
During Kapsalis’ trial on Wednesday in Cambridge District Court, Judge Robert Harnais ordered him to be held pending an unbailed hearing to see if he was a threat to the public.
This hearing is due to take place on Monday at 11 a.m.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For the latest crime news, visit Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
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