GREENFIELD — The owner of Ruggeri’s Beverage liquor store on Deerfield Street has been charged with drunken driving after an accident in which police say he crashed his SUV into a concrete sidewalk and railing system on Arch Street Tuesday night.

He totaled the vehicle.

Michael Ruggeri, 64, of 126 Deerfield St., pleaded innocent to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a motor vehicle during his arraignment in Greenfield District Court Wednesday. 

According to a report by Greenfield Police Officer Justin Purinton, police were dispatched to an accident near the Arch Street bridge Tuesday at 9:55 p.m. Upon arrival, Purinton wrote he observed a man leaning against the sidewalk railing, and when asked if he was OK, the man, identified as Ruggeri, replied, “I had an accident and I’m cold.”

Greenfield Police Officer Jason Kratz wrote in his report it appeared as though Ruggeri had been driving down the east side of Arch Street and hit the concrete sidewalk and railing system, destroying it and spreading debris throughout the roadway.

According to Purinton’s report, he immediately detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Ruggeri’s breath and observed him to be uneasy on his feet with bloodshot, glassy eyes.

Purinton wrote Ruggeri failed a portion of the field sobriety test and then refused to continue with the rest of the test. He also refused to take a preliminary breath test, according to the report.

Based on the officers’ observations, Ruggeri was placed under arrest on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. 

During the booking process, Purinton wrote Ruggeri refused to take a breath test, which carries an automatic six-month license suspension, and Kratz wrote he also refused to be fingerprinted, have his photo taken or sign any paperwork.

According to Purinton’s report, Ruggeri admitted he had consumed three beers, but later said he never admitted to drinking any alcohol. 

He was released on $200 bail Tuesday night and released on personal recognizance following his arraignment Wednesday. 

He is due back in court April 19 for a pretrial conference.

You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268 On Twitter follow: @AvivaLuttrell