Woman Found Not Guilty in DUI Crash That Injured Waltham Man

A Billerica woman has been found not guilty on charges that she ran over a Waltham man two years ago while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

A Waltham District Court jury has found Bonnie Lee Hicks not guilty of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol while causing bodily injury, Middlesex County District Attorney Spokesman Cara O'Brien told Patch today. The verdict was issued on Friday, Nov. 4, after a three-day trial.

John Causland, 17 at the time of accident, was walking to work in November 2009 when authorities say Hicks hit him, according to FOX 25. Causland was crossing the intersection of Trapelo Road and Smith Street when he was struck, according to WHDH-TV. First responders rushed him to the hospital and from there, Causland underwent months of recovery, including brain surgery, according to WHDH-TV and FOX 25.

The jury found Hicks guilty of operating a vehicle with a suspended registration and for driving an uninsured motor vehicle, according to O'Brien. The judge fined her $500 on each count.

Hicks, however, was found responsible on other issues connected with the case. O'Brien said the judge found her responsible for not having an inspection sticker. The judge, however, found her not responsible for a crosswalk violation. Both charges are not criminal charges, but are considered civil motor vehicle infractions.

Hicks was found not guilty despite admitting she had been drinking before getting behind the wheel, refusing a Breathlyzer test and failing a field sobriety test, according to the Boston Herald.