Man killed early Monday was participating in Carnival 'parade,' police allege
MILFORD — A man was killed early Monday when he was struck by a car while he was in the road on Dilla Street, authorities said.
The man's identity has not been released.
Police said the man appeared to be taking part in a Carnival celebration. Carnival, which is commonly celebrated in South American countries, refers to the season that begins on the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6) and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), which is this week.
Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of the solemn religious observance known as Lent.
Police responded to a report of a pedestrian crash at 4:15 a.m. Monday on Dilla Street, near the rear entrance of the Wendy's Restaurant at 128 Cedar St.
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What police said happened
There, they found a 31-year-old man in the road who had been struck by a vehicle. The motorist, who remained at the scene, has not been charged or cited.
Deputy Police Chief Robert Tusino said it is believed the victim was taking part in a Carnival celebration, something he said is popular among residents of Ecuadorian descent.
He said the celebrations often spill into local roadways, causing potentially dangerous situations.
"They do these quasi-parades, where they walk down the street throwing flowers," Tusino said. "There's a lot of drinking and walking in the street. We try every year to get them out of the street."
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The crash is being investigated by Milford police, the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council's Accident Reconstruction Team and the Worcester District Attorney's Office's Motor Vehicle Homicide Response Team.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Man killed in Milford after being hit by car in 'quasi-parade'