Dorchester man charged in Jamaica Plain crash that seriously injured pedestrian

A Dorchester man was charged on Wednesday after he allegedly hit and severely injured a pedestrian back in June, according to a statement from Suffolk District County Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office.

Michael Owens, 53, was arraigned in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of negligent operation of a vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and serious and negligent operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, according to the statement. 

On June 15, 2025, Owens crashed his Chevy Tahoe into a median of the Arborway on Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, hitting and severely injuring a pedestrian, according to Hayden’s office. The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he had a leg amputated due to the extent of the injuries. 

Owens was allegedly found to have a blood alcohol concentration level of .27 percent, which is more than triple the Massachusetts legal limit of .08, Hayden said. 

A judge set bail at $1,000 and ordered Owens to maintain sobriety and forbade him from operating a motor vehicle. Owens must also remain in Massachusetts, Hayden said. 

“Decisions to drive after drinking are always unwise, always dangerous, and too often injurious or deadly to the driver and everyone else on the road, be they pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers.  This is a tragic example of how such decisions can alter lives,” Hayden said. 

Owens is expected to return to court on Feb. 19, Hayden said.