Pedestrian Killed By Car In Quincy; Driver Charged With 5th OUI
QUINCY (CBS) - A 78-year-old man is facing a fifth OUI charge after police say he hit and killed a man crossing a Quincy street in a wheelchair Saturday night. It happened at about 8:30 p.m. at Quincy Ave and Southern Artery.
Police said 72-year-old James Bouchie was crossing Quincy Ave when a Kia Sportage SUV hit him. He was ejected from the wheelchair and later died at a hospital.
Police arrested the driver, David Bowering of Quincy, at the scene and charged him with OUI Liquor, 5th offense and Motor Vehicle Homicide OUI - Liquor.
The victim's friends said they're in shock. "He was funny, he was full of life. Everybody loved him," said Jane Collins.
Bouchie lived at a senior living complex on Southern Artery. He was known to all as 'Hell on Wheels' for taking rides at night in his electric wheelchair. His neighbors didn't believe the news when they first heard it.
"And I said to my husband, 'Hurry up, we've got to get dressed.' And then I went back and I read it and I read he had been taken to South Shore Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. So it's just a shock," Collins said.
Bouchie's friends can't comprehend why the driver was still able to get behind the wheel. "I have no idea, where did he fall through the cracks? What's wrong with that system, you know?" neighbor Evelyn Cody said.
"Somebody with 5 DUIs was driving and killed him. So I'm angry and I'm frustrated," said Collins.
Police are still investigating the crash. Bowering pleaded not guilty to the charges and will be held pending a dangerousness hearing on Friday.
