Prosecutors: Murder charge addded in road rage encounter

MEDFORD (AP) » A Massachusetts man accused of using a racial slur before allegedly intentionally striking a Black man with his pickup truck during a road rage encounter is now facing a murder charge, prosecutors said

Monday.

Dean Kapsalis, 54, of Hudson, allegedly struck and killed Henry Tapia during an argument in Belmont Jan. 19.

He was initially charged with a civil rights violation causing injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash, but a Middlesex prosecutor told a judge Monday that it was determined that Tapia, 34, died of injuries suffered when he was struck.

Kapsalis was held without bail at his arraigment Monday on the murder charge. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. His attorney requested cash bail, but was denied.