Driver in Fatal Canton Crash Arraigned on Vehicular Homicide and Drunk Driving Charges

Sean Jackman, 24, of Stoughton, the driver in Saturday's fatal car crash in Canton, was arraigned Monday on multiple charges, including motor vehicle homicide and drunk driving. 

Jackman was arraigned at Boston Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized following the single car crash, which killed the lone passenger in the vehicle, Evan Bard, a junior at Curry College. 

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Melissa Brooks, Jackman was held on $500,000 cash bail, according to a release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Stoughton District Court Judge Richard Savignano presided over the arraignment. 

Jackman pled not guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, speeding and marked lanes violations, according to the Suffolk County DA's Office. 

Authorities say Jackman was driving a 1995 Toyota Corolla which was "traveling westbound on Bolivar Street" in Canton shortly after midnight on Saturday, May 11, "when it struck a wall and immediately thereafter a tree."

Evan Bard, 20, of Agawam, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Jackman suffered head injuries, and is listed in fair condition at BMC, according to WCVB-TV.

"He wore a neck brace and had several cuts on his face at the arraignment," CBS Boston reports.

According to the Suffolk County DA's Office:

Bard was the vehicle’s front seat passenger and was pronounced dead on arrival. Jackman was barely conscious but alive. Officers could smell the odor of alcohol coming from him. The Canton Fire Department transported him to Boston Medical Center and also detected the odor of alcohol. 

Canton detectives met with Jackman at the hospital in an attempt to interview him. Jackman declined to answer questions and indicated that he had retained an attorney. Detectives then placed him under arrest and informed him that he would not be free to leave the hospital.

While the incident occurred in Norfolk County, the Suffolk County DA's office is helping with the prosecution of this case. 

"At the request of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Suffolk prosecutors are handling Jackman’s case to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Jackman had been a 2006 summer intern at the Norfolk DA’s office and his uncle had previously been employed there," according to the Suffolk County DA's office. 

Jackman's next court hearing at Stoughton District Court on June 10.