A Quincy man who allegedly struck an Asian man with his car twice while saying “Go back to China” has been charged with a hate crime, according to U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.
John Sullivan, 77, was charged with one count of violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the U.S. Attorney said. The Act criminalizes willfully causing bodily harm to anyone because of their perceived identity e.g. race, nationality, sex or ability.
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On Dec. 2, 2022, Sullivan was driving near the post office in Quincy when he got into a dispute with a group of pedestrians upset with his speed, according to the Quincy police department.
Sullivan then allegedly said “Go back to China,” before striking a 38-year-old Asian man with his car while the man was with his sister and her three children, according to the Associated Press. Sullivan then drove about 50 yards with the man on the car hood, the AP continued.
Sullivan then repeated “Go back to China” and then struck the Asian man a second time, which knocked him into a construction ditch, before driving away, according to the AP.
A witness followed Sullivan and provided his location to dispatchers, who then relayed his whereabouts to the Braintree police department. Braintree police officers then arrested Sullivan and brought him to the Quincy Police Department to be booked, WCVB reported.
The victim told WHDH he suffered a broken shoulder, an injured leg and a concussion due to the incident and that he initially denied treatment out of concern for his family.
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“He needs to know not everyone can be picked on and not everyone will be silenced by intimidation,” the victim’s sister told WCVB.
Since Sullivan’s arrest, he has been held without bail.
Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a…
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