City Councilor Kendra Lara was released on personal recognizance today after her arraignment on a host of charges related to her alleged high speed crash into the side of a Jamaica Plan home last month.
Lara was arraigned a West Roxbury District Court moments after a judge found probable cause to charge her on a summons related to the June 30 event.
Lara was also charged with driving without a valid driver’s license, and the judge on Wednesday ordered her not to drive unless she obtains a valid one.
Lara left the court after this morning’s arraignment to a chorus of calls for her resignation from a crowd of hecklers waiting outside.
Lara appeared in court facing charges of driving an unregistered, uninsured vehicle with a revoked license before crashing into a Jamaica Plain home last month.
Lara’s defense attorney objected to the arraignment and unsuccessfully attempted to get the charges she was called into court for dismissed.
Instead, First Assistant Clerk Magistrate Paul Troi tacked on two additional charges, including negligent operation of a vehicle as to endanger and wanton endangerment of a child.
Lara’s son was injured in the crash and the incident was reported to the state’s Department of Children and Families because he was not in a booster seat, as required.
Lara was driving at a “minimum” speed of 53 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone when she said she swerved to avoid a car pulling out a parking spot on the side of the road, according to a police report. Her car crashed into the front porch of a home on Center Street.
But the driver of the second vehicle pushed back, saying Lara was driving fast and he did not move his car, a police report said.
Lara’s license was revoked in 2013, police said, and her driving record shows multiple violations and sanctions, including several from Connecticut.
The crash touched off a review of parking procedures at City Hall, where City Council President Ed Flynn required officials to submit a parking application with proof of a valid driver’s license.
City officials said Lara “regularly” drove a dark gray Honda civic to work even though she was barred from driving.
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