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WEEI 'Flash Guy' Charged In Deadly Crash

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WEEI 'Flash Guy' Charged In Deadly Crash

BOSTON (WBZ) ― The man charged with driving drunk and killing a pedestrian in Brighton over the weekend works occasionally on-air at sports radio station WEEI-AM.
 
26-year-old Rob Finnerty of Charlestown pleaded not guilty Monday at his arraignment on charges of motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence.

Police say he was driving drunk when he hit 19-year-old Michael Riley of Cambridge at the intersection of Soldiers Field Road and Everett Street shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday.

Finnerty and his passenger, Alex Saunders, 25, of East Falmouth, were not hurt.

WEEI had little to say about Finnerty Tuesday, confirming only that he's employed by Metro Networks.

Metro Networks confirmed to WBZ that he is an employee, but refused to discuss exactly what he does there.

However, WEEI has a clip of Finnerty on the job as a host and fill-in "flash guy" from August 2007 posted on its Web site.

Riley had worked the late shift at Stop & Shop in Brighton and had gone with friends to a Burger King before heading home on foot. He had missed the last bus. 

Riley's mother, Barbara, told WBZ her son was a half-mile from home when he was hit.

"He loved friends, he loved sports, he loved his family.  He was just happy being Michael," she said.  "I loved him.  I'm truly missing him."

Riley's parents told WBZ they are not bitter toward Finnerty.

"He's got to live with this for the rest of his life," Tom Riley said.

Police say Finnerty refused to take a Breathalyzer test. He is free on $25,000 bail.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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