Drunk Driver Strikes Cruiser

 On Sunday, 9/10/2017, at approximately 12:35am, Norton Police and Fire responded to a motor vehicle crash at 184 West Main Street.  A red Toyota Rav4, operated by James Rice, age 21, of Norton, was traveling east on West Main Street when it struck a utility pole.  The crash caused extensive damage to the utility pole and the vehicle.  That area of West Main Street was closed for a short period due to wires down across the roadway.  Rice was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and was cited for negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Approximately ten minutes later, while officers were still at the crash scene, another vehicle traveling on West Main Street struck the rear of a Norton police vehicle.  The cruiser’s blue lights were activated, was parked on the side of the roadway, and had no occupant.  The operator of the vehicle, Andrew Turner, age 49, of Norton, attempted to flee the scene, but was able to be stopped at the scene by officers.  No one was injured in this secondary crash.

Turner was placed under arrest and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to use care and caution when stopping.  Turner was released Sunday morning and will appear in the Attleboro District Court on Monday, 9/11/2017.