Man Arraigned for Striking Two BPD Officers at Parade

            BOSTON, August 1, 2022— The man who drove his car through a police barricade at the Puerto Rican Festival Parade and injured two Boston Police officers was arraigned today, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

            JAMAUREE HAYGOOD, 28, of Dorchester, appeared in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court today for arraignment on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and civil infractions for a marked lanes violation and failure to stop or yield.  ADA Laura Drohan requested bail of $15,000 and that Haygood be ordered to stay away from the location of the offense in the event he is to be released on bail.  Drohan also filed a motion to revoke Haygood’s open bail on a pending criminal case. Judge Steven Key set bail at $5,000 and revoked bail in the pending case.

            At approximately 12:15 p.m. Sunday, an officer observed Haygood operating a sedan on Green Street.  Three vehicles stopped at a red light at the intersection of Green and Washington streets.  Rather than stop behind these vehicles, Haygood crossed the solid double yellow lines to pass all three vehicles and turn right onto Washington Street while the light was still red.

            Minutes later, he encountered two uniformed Boston police officers at a police barricade set up at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Peter Parley Road, where a police barricade had been erected to protect participants and attendees of the Puerto Rican Festival parade.  Haygood refused to comply with police commands and instead drove through the barricade.  The barricade struck both officers, knocking them to the ground and causing injuries.  Both were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

            Haygood remained on the scene after the crash and was placed under arrest.  The vehicle sustained damage to the front bumper and headlight.

            “This weekend’s Puerto Rican parade was an opportunity to come together and celebrate a beautiful culture.  The actions of this individual not only put at risk the safety of the officers who were struck, but potentially threatened the lives of those who gathered to take part in the festivities.  ‘Reckless’ seems too weak a term to describe the potentially catastrophic harm that could have resulted,” Hayden said.

            Haygood is represented by attorney Peter Kortkamp.

          James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.