Revere victim is latest family tragedy

Home > News Revere victim is latest family tragedy By Matt Tempesta / The Daily Item

REVERE - A Revere woman is mourning the loss of her fourth son after 51-year-old James Lewis died Friday night when he was struck by a car on Route 107 in Revere.

Lewis, of 76 School St., Revere, was struck by a green Ford Explorer at around 11 p.m. in the area of 270 Broadway according to a press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. Lewis was taken to Whidden Memorial Hospital first and then to Massachusetts General Hospital where the release said he died from his injuries.

Lewis’ mother, Angela Lewis, 73, said she had seven sons and James was the fourth son she’s lost, one in a previous accident, one in childbirth and another to a chronic ailment.

“I pray to God that no more comes,” said Lewis. “I’m having it so hard. I’m so tired of what happens from year to year. You don’t know when the phone rings at night how afraid I get. I had a hard life. I’m 73 and I don’t know why I’m still alive. Why is this God doing this to me?”

According to the press release, the driver of the Ford Explorer, Tyrone Carter of Lynn, remained at the scene and cooperated.

“The preliminary investigation suggests that the driver was neither intoxicated nor driving at excessive speed at the time of the collision,” said the release. “He remained at the scene, passed field sobriety tests conducted by Revere Police, and gave a complete statement to State Police. He has not been charged at this time.”

Lewis said she has not spoken to Carter yet, but would welcome the opportunity.

“The driver did not contact me yet,” said Lewis. “I did request it. He might be in shock. If this man approaches me, I’m not going to scream and cry. I’m going to listen to what he has to say because he could be in shock and he has a family of his own. I’m not going to push him away.”

No one answered the door Sunday at the address listed for Carter.

Lewis said her son, who had lived in East Boston, was staying with her for about a month when the accident occurred, and described him as very helpful and caring.

“He was keeping me company,” said Lewis. “He was the most kind person you’ve ever known. He always helped people. He was so easy going. After his father passed away Jimmy was the survivor to help me out. He was a fine, fine guy and very handsome too.”

Another son of Lewis, Stevie, was at her home on School Street Sunday afternoon, and said he and his brother were close.

“I hung out with him the most out of all my brothers,” said Stevie Lewis, 44. “He was very artistic. He got me into woodworking.”

Lewis said he understands what happened Friday was an accident and has no ill will toward the driver.

“The man that hit him, we don’t dislike him, we don’t hate him,” said Lewis. “We know it was an accident. Someday soon we’d like to meet up with him when the time is right. I just want him to try and live his life.”

Angela Lewis, who has 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, thanked the Revere Police for staying with her Friday night, and said they’ve remained in constant contact with her throughout the weekend.

“The Revere Police Department, they were fantastic,” said Lewis. “They all came by and talked to me in person. I give them the highest respect.”

Lewis said no funeral plans have been made yet.

Matt Tempesta can be reached at mtempesta@itemlive.com. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.