Charges In Belmont Hit-And-Run Upgraded To Murder

BELMONT, MA — The man accused of fatally crashing his car into Henry Tapia in Belmont last week is now facing a murder charge.

Middlesex District attorney Marian Ryan announced on Monday that Dean Kapsalis, 54 of Hudson, will face additional charges of murder and leaving the scene causing death in connection with striking and killing Henry Tapia in Belmont.

Kapsalis was arraigned on the new charges virtually on Monday. He was originally facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a civil rights violation causing injury and leaving the scene causing injury. Kapsalis was held without bail and ordered him to have no contact with the victim’s family or any witnesses in the case. The next date in this case will be March 1.

Tapia was killed on Tuesday in a hit-and-run on Upland Road that stemmed from a confrontation between him and Kapsalis. According to the Middlesex District Attorney's office, Kapsalis shouted racial slurs at Tapia before hitting him with his car and dragging him for a short time.

The Belmont community held a vigil on Thursday night in Tapia's honor and to stand against racial violence. The Belmont group, Community Organized for Solidarity, is collecting donations for Tapia's family and a GoFundMe page has already raised over $30,000 for Tapia's family.