Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Somerville City Employee

SOMERVILLE, MA — A woman was fatally struck by a Somerville city employee who was on duty at the time of the crash, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said. The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Authorities said the crash happened around 12:50 p.m. Nov. 3 at the intersection of College and Kidder avenues. The worker was driving his personal vehicle, a Chevy Colorado pickup truck, at the time of the crash, the DA said.

The victim was found unresponsive and taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died the following day. She has been identified as Leah Zallman, 40, of Somerville. Zallman was the director of research at the Institute for Community Health, a primary care physician at the East Cambridge Care Center and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

“I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Leah Zallman. There are no words that can fully convey the pain and grief felt after such a tragic loss," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "I hope that her loved ones find solace and comfort in memories of her and the impact she had on so many people through her work as a researcher, physician and advocate for social justice. In this time of tremendous loss in our community, I ask my fellow Somerville residents to hold Leah Zallman's loved ones in your thoughts."

Investigators said the crash happened when the worker tried to turn left onto Kidder Avenue from College Avenue. The worker remained at the scene.

No charges have been filed.