Driver charged with both drugged, drunk driving

Police say such arrests becoming more frequent since legalization

Posted 1/3/19

An 11:55 p.m. motor vehicle stop in Westport on Friday, December 28, led to the driver being charged with operating under the influence of both alcohol and drugs (marijuana).

It was the sort of …

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Driver charged with both drugged, drunk driving

Police say such arrests becoming more frequent since legalization

Posted

An 11:55 p.m. motor vehicle stop in Westport on Friday, December 28, led to the driver being charged with operating under the influence of both alcohol and drugs (marijuana).

It was the sort of incident local police said they are seeing with increased frequency.

“Since the legalization of marijuana, we have witnessed a growing trend of motorists who are operating a motor vehicle while combining alcohol and marijuana,” said Westport Police detective Jeff Majewski.

Police report that officer Douglas Hood was on patrol on Route 88 when he observed a black sedan cross over the double solid yellow lines and enter the northbound lane of travel.

The officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Kenneth Pacheco, 22, of 9 Kaitlyne Court, Westport.

After stopping the vehicle, Officer Hood said he saw a glass mason jar on the back seat containing what appeared to be marijuana. He also said he detected the smell of freshly burned marijuana and noticed other indicators of illegal drug use and possible operator impairment.

After the officer conducted roadside assessment tests, he placed Mr. Pacheco under arrest for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs (marijuana).

While Mr. Pacheco was being processed at the police station, police detected the odor of alcohol on his breath.

Police said that Mr. Pacheco consented to a drug evaluation conducted by detective Robert Rebello, a certified drug recognition expert.

He also consented to a chemical breath test. He was transported to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Dartmouth where a blood alcohol content of .19 was recorded.

He was charged with OUI drugs, OUI alcohol, marked lanes violation and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

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