South Boston woman charged with OUI after running over pedestrian in South Bay Mall parking lot

BOSTON, September 4, 2025 – A South Boston woman was arraigned Tuesday in South Boston BMC for striking then running over a pedestrian in the South Bay Mall parking lot on Saturday, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

ARIELLA BEZAN, 25, was charged with operating under the influence of drugs causing serious bodily injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Judge Margaret Alberston held Bezan on $1,500 bail and ordered her to complete a drug treatment program. Bezan is due back in court September 24 for a pre-trial hearing.

At about 5:04 p.m. on August 30, Boston police responded to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the South Bay Mall parking lot. Officers found the victim, 42, lying on her back next to a white Ford Explorer. While on scene, the driver of the Ford Explorer, later identified as Bezan, stumbled toward officers in a hysterical crying state. Bezan appeared erratic and unsteady on her feet with visible bruising on her arms consistent with an intravenous drug user. Bezan told officers that her sister, who is autistic, grabbed the steering wheel while she was backing out of a parking space, causing her to run a person over.

A witness reported seeing the Explorer reverse at a high rate of speed then strike and run over the victim, with one of the tires rolling over her chest. A second witness told police he stood in front of the car to keep the driver from running over the victim a second time.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

While securing the vehicle, officers found a red open handbag with approximately 15 used needles and drug paraphernalia on the floor next to the pedals. The needles were safely discarded by Boston EMS.

“I wish the victim in this case a full and speedy recovery and I am grateful for the witnesses who provided important information on what happened, and in particular the witness who placed himself in front of the car to prevent further injury, or worse, to the victim,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Our office handles more than 20,000 cases a year. Nearly 160 assistant district attorneys practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Boston and Chelsea Juvenile Courts and the Supreme Judicial Court. Our office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs for anyone encountering the criminal justice system. We are committed to educating the public about our mission and services while focusing on crime prevention to keep the residents, workers and visitors of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications