Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara issues apology in wake of crashing into Jamaica Plain home

City Councilor Kendra Lara has issued an apology for crashing into a Jamaica Plain home, an incident that has sparked fierce reaction from officials and residents.

“We’re all accountable for our actions, and I’m no different, so I offer my sincerest apologies to everyone, especially the people of D6,” Lara said in an open letter attached to a Saturday morning tweet. “As your Councilor, I will continue to steward our collective vision at City Hall and work hard to earn and maintain your trust.”

The statement comes more than a week after Lara drove what she calls in her tweet a “friend’s car” into a Centre Street home in Jamaica Plain on June 30. A Boston Police report alleges that the vehicle was unregistered and that Lara’s license was revoked.

Authorities filed a 51A child abuse or neglect report with the Department of Children and Families, due to her 7-year-old son, Zaire, not being in a car seat as required, according to the police report. The boy was injured in the crash, and was treated at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

“I am grateful for my family, friends and neighbors who have been by our side and provided the support Zaire and I needed to focus on our recovery,” Lara said in her apology.

Lara’s first public statement after the incident also comes after the Herald reported Friday that City Council President Ed Flynn is calling for a review of employee parking procedures at Boston City Hall.

Flynn outlined his request in a letter to Boston Property Management Department Commissioner Eamon Shelton, and plans to meet with members of that department next week to discuss a potential review, according to documents obtained by the Herald.

The letter was sent in response to the June 30 incident last week, although Flynn didn’t specifically reference Lara, a City Hall source told the Herald. Questions remain over whether, or how often, Lara was driving to City Hall and parking in a garage with a revoked license.

“These basic steps are to ensure everyone’s safety, for liability purposes of both operators and the City of Boston, and so that drivers utilizing city-owned garages abide by appropriate regulations,” Flynn wrote.

Lara’s apology letter was greeted by council colleague Tania Fernandes Anderson, who retweeted Lara with the comment, “Your strength and resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. It takes courage to acknowledge our mistakes and apologize sincerely. As your colleague, your commitment to centering dignity and humanity is commendable.”

Lara’s charges, issued as part of a court summons and not an arrest, include operating a motor vehicle after suspension, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, the Herald has reported.

Lara is scheduled to appear in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal court on July 19 for an open hearing. If probable cause is found at the hearing, an arraignment could be set up, NBC10 Boston reported on Friday.

“As an elected official, I’ve worked hard to center the dignity and humanity of my constituents,” Lara wrote in her apology Saturday. “Today, I ask you to see mine as I work to correct my mistake.”

— Herald reporter Flint McColgan contributed to this report.

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