The Patriot Ledger
December 12, 2015

Joseph Brady Jr., 71, was walking across Route 27 at about 8:35 p.m., Friday December 11, 2015 when he was hit and killed by a car. Police blame his death on drugged driving.

Joseph Brady Jr., 71, was walking across Route 27 in the area of 630 Park St., about 8:35 p.m., Friday, when he was hit by a car, said David Traub, a spokesman for Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Police and firefighters responded and found Brady suffering from “very serious injuries,” said Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany.

The driver, who Traub identified as Michael Burns, remained on scene and was questioned by police officers, who then called a drug recognition expert with the town’s police department to the scene. “The driver of the vehicle was determined, after officer Nate Derby did a drug evaluation, to be under the influence of drugs,” Shastany said.

The victim was flown by medical helicopter to Boston Medical Center, where he later died, Traub said.

The accident occurred in front of Brady Enterprises, which operates a Christmas tree lot on the side of Park Street. Joseph Brady, the owner of the tree business, while crossing the street to head back to work.

“My husband parked the car across the street because there were other people there getting trees,” Linda Brady said. “He walked across the street, there was nothing coming, and, all of a sudden – boom. It knocked him far.”

Joseph Brady owned the tree lot for the past 45 years. He was also an owner of a racing car in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and a member of the New England Racers Hall of Fame, his wife said.

When he married his wife 25 years ago, she became a co-owner of the tree business. "He loved it,” Linda Brady said. “He died doing what he loved.”

The preliminary police investigation determined that Burns was delivering a pizza just prior to the fatal crash, Traub said. “Michael Burns, age 33, was allegedly driving a 2006 Chevy Malibu when he struck and killed Joseph Brady Jr.,” he said.

The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and an attorney from the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit of the Norfolk County district attorney’s office responded and are investigating the accident.

Burns, 33, of 11 Bradford St., Taunton, was charged with drugged driving. He was held on $30,000 bail, pending his arraignment, which is expected to occur Monday in Stoughton District Court. “Of course, with a death resulting, there will be numerous other charges,” Shastany said.

Outside her Franklin Street home Saturday, 69-year-old Linda Brady questioned why the driver hit her husband. “He took something from me – he took my husband,” she said. “Why did you take him from me?”

She was comforted by her granddaughter, Katelyn Costa, and has other children who are flying to Boston from other parts of the country. Joseph Brady had four children, 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

“He was funny,” Costa said about her grandfather. “He loved my little brother so much.”

Linda Brady said it would be too tough for her to sit in court during Burns’ arraignment Monday, but that she hopes for justice. “I still can’t believe it,” she said. “I want him back, but I can’t have him back. He took my life.”

Those #41 and #00 cars were always among the best in the field wherever they raced and whoever drove them. Joe Brady was a legend in New England racing.