WESTPORT — A Fall River driver stopped in Westport on Thursday now faces a variety of charges from two towns including a Westport count of driving under the influence of alcohol, third …
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WESTPORT — A Fall River driver stopped in Westport on Thursday now faces a variety of charges from two towns including a Westport count of driving under the influence of alcohol, third offense.
On Thursday, January 2, Westport Police were contacted at 3:35 pm by the Fall River Police Department regarding a black Toyota Tacoma involved in a hit and run in their city. The vehicle was last reported to be traveling east on State Road into Westport.
While officers were headed to this location, concerned citizens contacted the Westport Police Department about this same vehicle operating erratically on Sanford Road. The vehicle had struck mailboxes while traveling south on Sanford Road. Officer Turner Ryan eventually located the vehicle in the area of Route 177 and Sodom Road.
Police say that the driver refused to stop for Officer Ryan after he had activated his emergency lights and siren. The vehicle turned south on Sodom Road and eventually came to a stop. When officers made contact with the operator, later identified as 41-year-old Joseph DaCosta of Fall River, they said he was belligerent, unruly and refused to exit his vehicle.
Arresting officer Alberio Medina Jr. noted in his report that Mr. DaCosta had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath, had urinated, and was unsteady on his feet. In plain view within the vehicle, officers reported several nip bottles of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. In total, 13 bottles were retrieved.
Mr. DaCosta was placed under arrest by Officer Medina and transported to the Westport Police Station where his unruly behavior escalated, police said. “ During the booking room process he attempted to spit at and kick an officer,” Detective Sgt. Christopher Dunn said in a press release.
Mr. DaCosta is being charged by Westport Police with driving under the influence of alcohol (third offense), failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault, leaving the scene of property damage and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was scheduled to be arraigned at the Fall River Justice Center on the aforementioned charges.