Aura Garcia with her daughter,
Nancy, some years back.
East Boston residents are
raising money to help support
Garcia’s two children.
The community of East Boston has come together to support the family of a woman who died in a tragic accident on New Year’s Eve day at the Meridian Street Bridge.
On that day, Aura Garcia was fatally crushed while attempting to cross the bridge on foot from East Boston to Chelsea. Bridge operator Louis Alfieri Jr. was raising the drawbridge to permit a vessel passage along the Chelsea Creek when the incident occurred. After hearing Garcia’s cries for help, Alfieri immediately lowered the bridge. Investigators determined that Garcia had been positioned in an area not visible to Alfieri from the operator’s station.
To assist Garcia’s family, East Boston residents have launched an online fundraising effort for her 16-year-old daughter, Nancy, and 4-year-old son, Daniel. The campaign, initiated by Eagle Hill resident and Eagle Hill Civic Association member Blythe Berents, aims to provide food, clothing and other necessities. The community has already contributed over $3,000.
The Ruggiero Family Memorial Home has volunteered its facilities for Garcia’s wake, scheduled for Thursday, with funeral services set for Friday morning. The city has also provided a burial plot at the city-run Fairview Cemetery.
“We worked with the city to provide the family with a full funeral service in accordance with the family’s wishes,” Joseph Ruggiero stated.
Representative Carlo Basile announced plans to organize a fundraiser for the family, describing the accident as a “terrible tragedy.” “My heart breaks for Nancy and Daniel,” Basile remarked. “This is a terrible tragedy that makes it all the more heartbreaking given its timing after the Holiday Season. I’m looking at ways we can further help the Garcia family in this time of grief. When we have further details of how we plan to raise funds for the family I will let the community know.”
City Councilor Sal LaMattina also expressed his condolences regarding the incident. Though unfamiliar with either Alfieri or Garcia, LaMattina said his thoughts and prayers extend to both families. “By all accounts she was a hardworking and loving mother,” LaMattina stated. “Mr. Alfieri has had a 34-year stellar career with the city and I understand he is devastated by the accident.”
Senator Anthony Petruccelli has likewise pledged his assistance to Garcia’s family. “I will work with my colleagues to ensure the Garcia family gets the help they need,” Petruccelli said. “Residents all over East Boston have stepped up and have come together and it’s a very touching thing to see a community rally around the Garcia family.”
The city’s Public Works Department oversees the Meridian Street Bridge’s operations and staffing. Alfieri had served as a bridge operator there since 1999, according to BPW Commissioner Joanne Massaro, who noted his record was unblemished and that he consistently adhered to standard safety protocols. These protocols require a 20-step procedure involving warning horns, traffic signals, and visual inspections for vehicles and pedestrians.
Investigators continue their examination of the incident that occurred on that frigid New Year’s night, reviewing surveillance footage from the bridge’s cameras in search of answers.
According to witnesses, the bridge’s safety systems were activated, issuing alerts to both motorists and pedestrians. As the bridge began to rise, witnesses reported hearing Garcia’s desperate calls for help before the structure was lowered again.
Operators are required to monitor the bridge’s safety cameras, zooming in on traffic and pedestrian movement at both the East Boston and Chelsea gates. Should vehicles or pedestrians fail to clear the area after the alarm sounds, operators must contact police.