Drunk Driving Arrests Keep Island Police Busy

<p>Island police responded to a number of drunk driving incidents over the weekend. In Oak Bluffs there were two separate arrests for operating under the influence.

Island police responded to a number of drunk driving incidents over the weekend.

In Oak Bluffs Sgt. Daniel Cassidy reported two separate arrests involving drunk driving. At about 1:35 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the scene of a one-car accident near Dukes County and Vineyard Haven avenue, where the driver of a truck had hit a telephone pole and then driven home. Sergeant Cassidy said the driver, a 23-year-old woman, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.

On Sunday night Oak Bluffs police responded to a separate drunk driving incident when a 47-year-old man traveling on County Road failed to stop and crossed Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, heading straight into the forest. The vehicle flipped, and the man attempted to flee the scene on foot, police said. He was eventually transported to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, then arrested for operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.

Police chief Jonathan Klaren of Chilmark also reported a drunk driving incident that took place Friday evening. After observing erratic driving from a vehicle heading into Chilmark from West Tisbury, officers determined that the operator, a 32-year-old man, was impaired and arrested him for speeding, marked lane violations, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle under influence of alcohol.

Edgartown chief Bruce McNamee said the Vineyard Square Hotel was evacuated Saturday afternoon after smoke was seen coming from the roof. Police and fire personnel identified the building’s boiler as the source. No one was injured.

Tisbury police Lieut. Eerik Meisner said on Sunday evening, a man was reportedly shouting an obscenity on Tashmoo avenue. When police responded, the man “apologized and went to bed,” he said.

Aquinnah police said there were no incidents of note in their town.

In West Tisbury, police were mourning sudden loss of Officer Daniel Gouldrup, who died Monday of apparent natural causes at his home.

“His passing comes as an unexpected shock to the department as we begin to mourn his loss,” police chief Matt Mincone wrote in a statement.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/24/2018 - 21:01

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Ron Martin Edgartown

Don’t worry, drunk drivers always go free! Continued without finding, no prosecution… It’s a sweet gig to be a drunk driver in Martha’s Vineyard.

Tim V.H.

It is not just here. There is a problem with the the breath test machine. There is a law suit going on now. O.A.T. has not done certain things, or so they say. So if you take a breathalyzer at the jail, the result can not be used against you in court. If you refuse the test, you get your licence suspended.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 09:26

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MB Pa

I just don’t understand why at least the fines for this crime(Doing Time is another issue!) are not exhorbitant!? In my neighborhood I see a $1,000 fine for littering! DWI should be $10,000 first offense!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 10:55

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JD Oak Bluffs

I recommend AA meetings seven days a week, not only for the Drunks that get arrested but also for the entire Vineyard population... You really need the therapy...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 11:46

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BF

So discouraging.
Every drunk driver is a potential fatality for some innocent person.
We need much tougher consequences for these irresponsible choices!

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