PORTLAND — A Cumberland County grand jury has charged a Portland man with driving to endanger, criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from a July 4 crash on Munjoy Hill that hospitalized a pedestrian.

The grand jury that rose today indicted Jason Beaudoin, 34, in connection with the crash that sent Steve Makris to the hospital with very serious injuries including a head injury. The driving to endanger charge is a felony.

Three months after the crash, Makris remains at Maine Medical Center.

Makris had just moved to Maine for work and was visiting a friend the night of Portland’s July 4 fireworks when a Dodge Durango backed into his Honda Accord, witnesses said. After the Durango pushed the car back several feet, Makris confronted the driver, Beaudoin.

Beaudoin drove off with Makris at first hanging onto the Durango, then falling to the ground, witnesses said. The number and severity of the injuries – including a deep indentation on Makris’ skull – suggests the Durango hit and possibly ran him over, according to a family friend. Makris’s 3-year-old son is staying with relatives.

Police located Beaudoin when he returned home the morning after the crash.


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