A tragic road-rage incident in Hopkinton, Massachusetts has resulted in the death of 26-year-old Destini Decoff, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. The incident occurred last Thursday on Route 85, when Ryan Sweatt, 36, was involved in an altercation with Decoff and other occupants of her vehicle.

According to a police report obtained by CBS News, Sweatt claimed that Decoff and four men got out of their car and approached his vehicle, with one of them wielding a knife. Sweatt said he feared for his life and shouted to responding officers that "they're trying to kill me!" In a state of panic, Sweatt made a U-turn in his Honda Civic and struck Decoff at a high rate of speed.

Eyewitness testimony supported Sweatt's intentional act, as a witness told police that he "chose to turn around" and "knew what he was doing" when he made the U-turn and hit Decoff. Prosecutors also stated that surveillance footage from the scene corroborated the witness's account.

Tragically, Decoff succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, her mother Tracy Decoff confirmed on Facebook, noting the extensive injuries her daughter sustained. Destini suffered a brain bleed that required part of her skull to be removed, two collapsed lungs that necessitated a respirator, a broken rib, shoulder, and tibia, as well as facial disfigurement that required plastic surgery.

Following the incident, Sweatt fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police. He is currently facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, operating to endanger, and a marked lanes violation. It remains unclear whether additional charges will be filed in light of Decoff's death.

The accused has entered a plea of not guilty according to court records and is scheduled to appear in Framingham District Court on April 10. Attempts to reach Sweatt's attorney for comment were unsuccessful at the time of writing.

The tragic loss of Destini Decoff has left her family and friends devastated. Her mother took to social media, expressing her grief and stating that Sweatt has been charged with everything he should have been. The details leading up to the altercation are still being investigated, and authorities have not clarified whether Decoff was driving prior to being struck.

As the community mourns the loss of a young life, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road rage and the tragic consequences that can result. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues, with authorities working diligently to uncover all the facts and bring justice to the grieving family.