A Dorchester crossing guard who was run down while leading a 10 year-old boy across a Meetinghouse Hill street last week has died. Marie Conley, 59, had been hospitalized since the incident, which took place last Tuesday morning (Oct. 21) at the intersection of Parish and Winter streets, just steps from the Mather School.

The elderly man - Abner Cazeau, 86, of Dorchester - who was driving the vehicle which struck Conley had already been cited for negligence and failure to yield to a pedestrian. Detectives and prosecutors will now lodge a complaint against him for Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation, according to a police statement issued Wednesday.

Through the Boston Police media office, the Conley family issued the following statement on Wednesday evening: "Words cannot express the depths of our sorrow at the loss of our mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. She will always be remembered for the joy and happiness that she brought to her children, grandchildren and the members of the Finn and Conley families.

We are grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support we have received through this very difficult time. As we come together as a family to remember Marie, we ask that our privacy be respected. We would also like to state that our prayers go out to Mr. Cazeau and his family who are also dealing with this tragedy."