A Massachusetts police officer has been charged in a racist road rage incident

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Two Massachusetts men were both due to appear in court to answer for the same crime: a racist assault on the road. One driver had fatally hit the victim with his vehicle and the other driver was an officer sworn to protect and serve.

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In 2021, Dean Kapsalis, 56, of Hudson got into an argument with Henry Tapia, 34, over turn signals, according to Boston.com. Kapsalis hit Tapia with his van and fled. Tapia later died in hospital from life-threatening injuries he sustained. Prosecutors said the last thing Tapia heard before he was hit by the vehicle were threatening words threatening him because of his race.

In 2022, Hingham Police Officer Joel Salituri followed another man from the freeway, out of the way, and into a parking lot. According to NBC Boston, Salituri pulled up next to the man’s vehicle, shouting racial slurs and showing his gun. He told the man he was an officer, but the district attorney’s office found he was off duty at the time. The report does not mention that Salituri is attempting to make an arrest.

The two ended up in the same courtroom before the same prosecutor, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, on May 1 to answer for their stupidity.

Mr. Kapsalis was convicted while the policeman was charged.

Learn more at Boston.com:

Kapsalis was convicted of second degree murder; a violation of constitutional rights causing grievous bodily harm; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily harm; and leaving the scene after causing injury, Ryan said.

What is important in today’s verdict is that in Middlesex County, when we have violent incidents motivated by hate and bigotry, these will not be considered mere factual facts , Ryan continued. We will charge these people separately, prosecute this crime separately and hold accountable for this element of what happened.

Officer Salituri was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon but was released on bail and ordered to stay away from the man he allegedly threatened. He was also placed on leave from the department pending trial. District Attorney Ryan said additional charges could be added based on his use of racial slurs and also for the Kapsalis case.

The last time we heard of a case of racist road rage like this was with Hunter Holman of Las Vegas swinging his car at a black family on the sidewalk while spewing racial slurs. He was arrested and charged with hate crimes.

Road rage is already dangerous in itself. Racist violence on top of that is deadly.

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