Driver convicted in 2007 Saugus hit-and-run that killed pair

An East Boston man was convicted Monday in a 2007 hit-and-run accident that killed two pedestrians in Saugus, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.Michael Tranchita, 35, was found guilty of leaving the scene of personal injury resulting in death in connection with the deaths of Tina Tello, 33, of Stoneham, and Christopher Zullo, 28, of Everett on Jan. 5, 2007.Judge Timothy Feeley made the ruling in a bench trial in Salem Superior Court.Police responded at 11:35 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2007 to a crash on Route 1 south in Saugus which involved a vehicle and two pedestrians. Tello and Zullo were trying to cross Route 1 near Essex Street – an area not designated for pedestrian travel – when they were hit by a vehicle traveling southbound.Tello was pronounced dead at the scene. Zullo was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where he died two days later.Essex Assistant District Attorney Jay Gubitose introduced evidence proving Tranchita was driving the GMC Sierra pickup truck that hit the pedestrians, resulting in their deaths, and then fled the scene.Tranchita’s father and a Revere woman were also indicted in the case on charges including conspiracy and misleading police, but the charges were dropped, according to a spokesperson for Blodgett.Tranchita was taken into custody and is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 9.