Mother And Daughter Hit By Alleged Drunk Driver While Walking In Beverly Crosswalk

BEVERLY (CBS) – A Boxford man is facing drunk driving charges after police say he hit and woman and her daughter while they were in the crosswalk of a Beverly street.

Lisa Taylor, 56, and her 18-year-old daughter Rachel were crossing Cabot Street near Winter Street around 9 p.m. Thursday night when police said they were hit by 24-year-old Stephen Hendricks. Beverly Police said both women were hospitalized with serious injuries, but did not know the extent.

According to witness Terri McFadden, Rachel took the brunt of the hit. "She hit the windshield and went down on the street," McFadden said. "It was horrible, I've never seen anything so bad."

Responding officers found Hendricks' vehicle with heavy front-end damage. He was arrested at the scene and was arraigned on Friday.

Prosecutors said in court that Hendrick, a Marine veteran, had a blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit and told police he did not see the victims.

"They found five bottles of wine, some were unopened, some were empty. They found two nips of Bacardi rum. They found three nitrous oxide containers and some pills," said prosecutor Michael Dulany.

Hendricks is charged with operating under the influence of liquor causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and a crosswalk violation.

He was ordered held on $7,500 bail, which his father posted.

McFadden described the scene, "We put our coats over the young woman who was on the street. Her mother was with her and she said to everybody, of course, don't touch -- nobody was touching her.

She also said Hendricks was visibly distraught at the scene. "He was terribly upset. He was just standing there and saying 'I hope she's okay, I'm sorry."

Hendricks will spend the weekend in jail while he is fitted for a device that will detect any alcohol consumption.