Malden Teen Struck by Car, Killed in Newton

The teen who was struck and killed on Route 128 in Newton this morning has been identified as Reishaun Michael Hopkins, 18, of Malden, according to a State Police press release.

Hopkins worked at the Honey Dew Donuts located in the Newton rest area and was scheduled to work the day shift, State Police said.

Troopers responded to the scene around 6:30 a.m. Thursday after several 911 calls reporting a pedestrian struck just north of exit 21. On arrival, troopers found a man lying on the southbound side of Route 128, close to the median strip.

Hopkins, who played basketball in the Malden Neighborhood Basketball League, was remembered by many on Twitter, including Mayor Gary Christenson. 

"Malden mourns the passing of Reishaun Hopkins who sadly lost his life today," Christenson wrote. "I knew him via MNBL [the Malden Neighborhood Basketball League] and remember his smooth 3 point shot."

The State Police investigation indicates Hopkins was crossing the highway on foot when he was hit by a car on the southbound side of the highway. He was then thrown across the median onto the southbound side of the road, where he was hit by another vehicle.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police said.

As of this afternoon, no charges have been filed in the accident.

Following the accident, lanes on both the northbound and southbound side of the highway were shut down. Morning commuters dealt with slow-moving traffic for hours.