$5k bail for South Boston man charged with hitting woman while driving intoxicated

BOSTON, October 31, 2023 – A South Boston man was ordered held on $5,000 bail yesterday on charges that he hit a woman with his car in a South Boston crosswalk while driving intoxicated early Saturday morning, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JEFFREY McARDLE, 46, was charged in South Boston BMC with operating under the influence (second offense) and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Judge John McDonald ordered McArdle to stay away from alcohol and be monitored with a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) remote breath device. McArdle will return to court January 3 for a pre-trial hearing.

At about 1:20 a.m. on Saturday morning Boston police responded to a call for a pedestrian struck at the intersection of O Street and East Fourth Street in South Boston.  Upon arrival officers observed a woman lying flat on her back on the roadway.  The victim’s husband told police that his wife was walking behind him in the crosswalk when she was struck by a SUV. The husband told police he estimated the vehicle to be traveling at 25 to 30 miles per hour.

Officers spoke to the driver, later identified as McArdle, who was standing outside the vehicle, a gray 2011 Ford Expedition.  Officers noted that McArdle appeared disoriented and unsteady on his feet and had glassy eyes and slurred speech.  Officers then administered a field sobriety test.  After determining that McArdle failed the test, officers placed him under arrest.  McArdle refused to take a Breathalyzer test after being transported for booking.

The victim, 32, was transported to Boston Medical Center.  She sustained numerous injuries including fractured ribs, internal bleeding, multiple facial lacerations and a concussion.

“We wish this victim a full recovery and we’re thankful that her injuries were not more severe.  It’s not easy for any victim to go through the healing process and then go through the process of holding the offender accountable, but we will provide her and her family all they help they need as the case moves forward,” Hayden said.

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 justice 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.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications