Hit-and-run driver is charged with DUI for horrific crash where Dawson’s Creek actor lost BOTH his legs after one was severed and the other had to be amputated
- John Michael Maese, 25, is facing multiple DUI charges over an August 2019 hit-and-run that left Dawson’s Creek star Obi Ndefo seriously injured
- Ndefo – who played Katie Holmes’ brother-in-law on the hit drama – had to have one of his legs amputated. The other was severed in the crash
- Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek has been tweeting his support as Ndefo recovers and learns to walk with prosthetic legs
- Maese now faces the prospect of up to seven years behind bars
A California man who nearly killed a Dawson’s Creek star in a hit-and-run crash has now been charged with a felony DUI over the shocking incident.
John Michael Maese was allegedly intoxicated when he plowed into actor Obi Ndefo in Los Angeles on the night of August 17, 2019. He is then accused of fleeing the scene.
Maese now faces counts of driving under the influence causing injury, driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury, and hit-and-run driving resulting in injury.
He has further been charged with misdemeanor driving with a suspended or revoked license because of a previous DUI.
Doctors claim it is a ‘miracle’ that 47-year-old Ndefo survived the accident – but surgeons were forced to amputate his legs. One was left completely shattered and the other partially severed.
Ndefo, who is a graduate of Yale, appeared in Dawson’s Creek between 1998 and 2002, where he played Katie Holmes’ character’s brother-in-law.
He additionally starred in Stargate SG-1 between 2000 and 2005.
The actor has also featured in episodes of The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Crossing Jordan and The District.
Both of Obi Ndefo’s legs were amputated after he was hit by a car in Los Angeles onof August 17, 2019. John Michael Maese is now facing multiple DUI charges over the incident
Ndefo, who is a graduate of Yale, appeared in Dawson’s Creek between 1998 and 2002, where he played Katie Holmes’ character’s brother-in-law. He is pictured on the program
Ndefo’s friends and family set up a GoFundMe account in the aftermath of the incident – and have raised more than $230,000.
The page stated that the money would go towards ‘new prosthetic legs, surgery and hospital costs not covered by insurance, and making Ndefo’s home wheelchair accessible’.
Meanwhile, the indefatigable star is getting back to his daily life six months after the accident.
Ndefo has been practicing walking on ‘costly prosthetic legs and the sockets they fit into’, according to a Los Angeles Times report about the actor published in December.
The article notes Ndefo’s relentless optimism, and quotes him as saying: ‘This is just so horrendous what happened to me, why would I compound this by feeling bad about it?’
Ndefo’s friend and former Dawson’s Creek cast mate, James Van Der Beek, has often tweeted his admiration for the star
Ndefo’s friend and former Dawson’s Creek cast mate, James Van Der Beek, has often tweeted his admiration for the star.
‘This is the kind of story that deserves amplification…’ Van Der Beek wrote last December, about the December LA article which features a photograph of an athletic Ndefo pushing himself up above his wheelchair.
He says he has plans to return to acting and is already looking at castings and working on pitching his own comedy show.
Meanwhile, Maese now faces the prospect of up to seven years in prison if found guilty on the DUI charges.
Ndefo is pictured playing Jaffa rebel Rak’nor on Stargate SG-1, on which he habitually appeared from 2000 – 2005