EAST BRIDGEWATER — A local man faces multiple charges including operating under the influence and carrying a firearm while intoxicated after his vehicle crashed and caught fire Saturday night, police said.
Donald McSterling Simmons, 37, of East Bridgewater, was arrested following the incident on Walnut Street.
East Bridgewater Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash near 373 Walnut St. at approximately 11:07 p.m. on March 8.
Officers arrived to find a sedan on fire against a large boulder, with Simmons having already exited the vehicle.
According to the preliminary investigation, Simmons was driving approximately 60 mph southbound on Walnut Street when his vehicle left the roadway, drove over a tree stump and went airborne, striking a fire hydrant and breaking it from the water main.
The vehicle continued toward Kennelworth Drive, hitting a street sign before colliding with a large boulder and catching fire.
Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on Simmons, police said.
The East Bridgewater Fire Department extinguished the vehicle fire.
When officers attempted to secure Simmons to a stretcher for hospital transport, he allegedly became belligerent and uncooperative, resisting multiple times.
During their investigation, officers discovered a handgun loaded with nine rounds on the passenger side floor of the vehicle.
Simmons, who has an active License to Carry, was later released from the hospital and booked at the East Bridgewater Police Department.
He faces charges including operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, speeding, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.
Simmons is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court.
