Man arrested on OUI charge after crash in East Bridgewater

EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA — A police K-9 tracked down a man who fled from a crash scene Friday night, leading to his arrest on drunken driving charges.

Michael James Lopez, 61, of East Bridgewater, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, second offense, and leaving the scene of property damage.

At about 8:55 p.m. March 13, Officer Collin Briggs responded to a single-car crash in the area of 82 Tardie Terrace.

Officers located a gray Toyota Prius with both front tires over the curb and a flat front passenger-side tire.

The driver was no longer at the scene.

Through an on-scene investigation, officers determined the driver was Lopez.

Officers responded to his nearby home, but determined he was not there.

Officer Joshua DeJesus and K-9 Thor then began a track from the crash scene.

The K-9 track led officers about a quarter-mile away to Highland Street, where Lopez was located lying on the ground.

While speaking with Lopez, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol.

A subsequent investigation determined that Lopez had been operating under the influence.

He was taken into custody without incident.

Lopez was arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court.

He was released on personal recognizance.