A Weston teenager too young to drink legally was held on high bail at his arraignment today on charges that he drove drunk into a young woman, nearly killing her, and then fled the scene early Sunday morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

BENJAMIN D. KNOTT (D.O.B. 3/7/91) was arraigned in Brighton District Court on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury. Assistant District Attorney Michael Callahan of Conley’s Major Felony Bureau recommended that he be held on $150,000 cash bail; Judge Eleanor Coe Sinnott set bail at $50,000.

Callahan told the court that Knott was driving on St. Thomas More Road in Brighton shortly before 1:00 Sunday morning when he struck a 21-year-old Boston College student from Londonderry, New Hampshire.

The victim was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. While she has improved since her admission, prosecutors say she is still in very serious condition.

Witnesses in the area heard the sound of that impact, saw a large, dark sport-utility vehicle leave the area, and observed the woman unconscious on the street. Boston College Police already in the area responded to the scene almost immediately and obtained statements from those witnesses.

Within minutes, Callahan said, Boston College Police located a green 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser with significant front-end damage, including a broken headlight consistent with fragments found at the scene of the impact. The operator of the vehicle, later identified as the defendant, was apparently leaving a parking lot on Campanella Way.

Boston College Police notified Massachusetts State Police, who also responded to the scene. Troopers asked whether he had been drinking, Callahan told the court, and Knott allegedly stated he had had “a few drinks.” The troopers administered field sobriety tests, which Knott failed. In subsequent Breathalyzer tests, Callahan said, Knott first blew a .18 and then a .20 – both indicating that his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit to drive.

Knott was taken into custody and held overnight until his arraignment today. He was represented by attorney Thomas Drechsler and will return to court on Jan. 13. Michael Schults is the DA’s victim-witness advocate assigned to the case.