GREENFIELD — A witness led police to arrest a 43-year-old Vermont man on drunken driving charges early New Year’s morning after he allegedly hit a parked car and left the scene.
Sean P. Ross of Dummerston, Vt., was arraigned in Greenfield District Court Tuesday on charges of operating under the influence of liquor for a second offense; leaving the scene of property damage; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; and a marked lanes violation.
According to a police report by Greenfield Officer Joshua Lemay, Ross was arrested early Monday morning after a witness reported seeing his vehicle strike a parked car on Bank Row and continuing to drive north. Ross’ blood alcohol content was 0.15 percent — nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 — during booking, according to the report.
Officers stopped Ross’ 2001 Mercury Mountaineer on Turners Falls Road after receiving a report from the witness, who followed Ross’ vehicle until police arrived. He was pulled over after Lemay observed his SUV cross over the double yellow line into the oncoming lane.
Ross told police he was going to a friend’s house and didn’t believe he had struck anything. He said he only had two beers, but Lemay wrote that he could smell a moderate odor of alcohol coming from Ross’ breath and noticed that he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
Ross was placed under arrest after failing a series of field sobriety tests. He was released on $500 bail.
Greenfield Police Officer Emily Rowell located a blue Honda Accord on Bank Row with significant rear end damage, according to her report. Rowell wrote that there was matching front end damage to Ross’ SUV, including a shattered front passenger headlight and broken brush guard matching debris found on Bank Row.
Ross was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment and is due back in court Feb. 8 for a pretrial conference.