Drunken Mass General Doctor Crashed Into Pedestrians: Report

BOSTON — The man accused of beeping at three pedestrians in a South End crosswalk before speeding up and hitting them — sending them to the hospital — is a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, The Boston Globe first reported. Michael T Watkins pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene after causing personal injury, Tuesday at Boston Municipal court and then was released on $1,500 bail, according to the Globe.

Police said Watkins, 64, of Roxbury, honked at two women and a man as they crossed Columbus Avenue and Clarendon Street, then sped up and hit all three just before midnight Friday. The three were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Watkins drove away but police found him parked nearby on Tremont Street, smelling like alcohol, they said, and arrested him.

He is set to return to court on July 30.

Watkins is listed as a visiting surgeon at the Department of Surgery and is associate director of Mass General's Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and served two years of active duty in the United States Army, according to MGH's website.

Previously on Patch:

Drunk Driver Hits 3 Pedestrians In South End Crosswalk: Police

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).