Peabody Man Charged With Motor Vehicle Homicide Held on $50K Bail

Michael J. Fowler, a 37-year-old Peabody man who is facing charges of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence and his second offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, pleaded not guilty to those charges in court today and was held on $50,000 cash bail.

Should he post bail, he will also be subject to several conditions, including a bail warning, no driving unless with a valid license, no alcohol, random screening via a sobrietor and to wear a monitoring bracelet.

Authorities say Fowler was driving drunk in a 2010 Hyundai sedan around 12:30 a.m. last night when the car plowed into a parked flatbed tow truck near 86 Walnut St.

Fowler was not seriously injured, but his friend -- 31-year-old Daniel Walker of Peabody -- who was sitting in the passenger seat was killed in the crash.

The district attorney's office initially said Fowler would be charged separately with vehicular homicide and negligent operation, but later corrected itself and said the two charges were combined. Fowler is then also charged with OUI (second offense) and leaving the scene of an accident.

Several members of Fowler's family attended his arraignment in Peabody District Court this afternoon, including his pregnant wife. John Lalikos, a court-appointed attorney for Fowler, said he has another young child as well.

Fowler's first OUI offense came in 2010, and according to various reports, he had refused to take a breathalyzer test at the time of that arrest which resulted in his license being suspended for 180 days. He reportedly refused to take another test, which has again led to his license being suspended.

Lalikos, who represented Fowler for his arraignment and bail only, said his client contends he was not fleeing the scene of the accident but rather looking for help.

The crash occurred near the corner of Walnut and Tracey streets, and according to police, Fowler climbed out of the crumpled car and took off running up Tracey Street before he was eventually apprehended and taken to the hospital.

He was released from Salem Hospital this morning and transferred to the Peabody police station for booking.

Fowler is due back in court June 19 for appointment of legal counsel.

Patch news partner 7News has footage from the scene of the accident last night and also of Fowler being taken into court today.