A California man, identified as Paul Sherry of Oxnard, faced arraignment at Roxbury BMC in Boston this Monday after allegedly assaulting a Lyft driver over the past weekend, as reported by Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. Sherry, 30, has been charged with assault and battery along with unarmed robbery and, per Judge Steven Kim's directive, is pending an evaluation for competency before his next pre-trial hearing set for Friday, July 19.
The confrontation erupted around 2:19 p.m. on July 13, when Boston Police were summoned to Gainsborough Street following reports of a fight. The driver, a 46-year-old man, suffered substantial bleeding from his nose and forehead. He recounted to the police that Sherry became irate because the Lyft driver's vehicle was momentarily blocking traffic as he dropped off a passenger. Sherry allegedly got out of his white Toyota Corolla, accosted the driver, and landed a punch on his face.
According to Suffolk District Attorney's office, the situation escalated when Sherry noticed the victim attempting to photograph his license plate, prompting him to assault the victim a second time, snatching away the man's phone before driving off. The victim was later attended to by Boston EMS and taken to a local hospital for further treatment.
Testimonies from two eyewitnesses corroborated the Lyft driver's account. In a stroke of swift police work, officers located Sherry's vehicle shortly after the incident. The car was stopped, and the driver, Sherry’s ex-girlfriend, told police that she had been present during the altercation. She stated that she was ignorant of Sherry's whereabouts post-incident.
Soon after, dispatch informed officers of a male fitting Sherry's description seen entering a building on Hemenway Street. Upon police arrival, Sherry came out and identified himself. According to his account, the altercation was incited after the Lyft driver allegedly grabbed his shirt, prompting Sherry to respond with physical force. He has contested the accusation of taking the driver's phone.
Suffolk District Attorney Hayden commented on the occurrence, highlighting a valuable lesson in composure. "The quick, unwise decision made here led to one person getting injured and another person being charged with some serious crimes. There are always alternatives beyond approaching situations like this with violence. The first alternative is often simple roadway patience," Hayden stated. Despite the charges, it should be remembered that Sherry, like any accused individual, maintains a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
