Motorist Indicted for Manslaughter in Fatal Canton Crash

The following is a release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office:

The Norfolk County Grand Jury has indicted a Stoughton man for killing his passenger, 20-year-old Evan Bard, in a single-vehicle crash in Canton last month, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments, returned Thursday, June 27, charge Sean Jackman, 24, of Stoughton with motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter by motor vehicle under Ch. 265, Sect. 13½, popularly known as Melanie’s Law. 

They move Jackman’s case from Stoughton District Court to Norfolk Superior Court, where it will be adjudicated. His arraignment date in that venue has not yet been scheduled but is expected next month.

Jackman is accused of driving drunk on the night of May 10 with Bard as his passenger. At about 11:50 p.m., his 1995 Toyota Camry struck a tree in the area of Bolivar Street. 

Bard, a junior at Curry College from Agawam, suffered fatal injuries in that crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Jackman was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he was first arraigned on May 13.

If convicted of the lead charge of motor vehicle manslaughter, Jackman faces five to 20 years in state prison, a fine of up to $25,000, and a potential lifetime revocation of his driver’s license.

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

Jackman is represented by attorney Daniel O’Malley.