Boston DUI Lawyers Blog

Weymouth Man Indicted for Motor Vehicle Homicide in Dedham Superior Court

Published on: May 10, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Matthew Murray, 25, of Weymouth, was arraigned in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham this week on several Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges stemming from the February 13, 2011, incident that resulted in the death of April Ivil, who was a passenger in his truck. Murrary was has been charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, Matthew Murrary was driving his truck on Commercial Street in Weymouth at 5:20 a.m. when he allegedly lost control and hit a snowbank, causing the truck to flip over. One of the two passengers, April Ivil, who was thrown from the truck when it flipped over, succumbed to her injuries.

Weymouth Police Officers who responded to the crash reported that Matthew Murray allegedly smelled of alcohol and allegedly exhibited signs of intoxication. Police also reported discovering several open beer cans in the truck.

Norton Man Arrested on Drunk Driving Crimes After Hitting Utility Pole

Published on: May 8, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

James LaVita, 44, of Norton, was arrested on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after allegedly crashing his SUV into a utility police in Norton this weekend. He will formally be arraigned on criminal charges including Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to the Norton Police Department, James LaVita alleged crashed into the utility pole sometime after 11:00 p.m. Friday night. At their arrival on scene, Norton Police Officers allegedly observed James LaVita and his vehicle nearby, which had heavy front end damage. The base of the utility pole had been broken off, and the pole itself was left hanging by electrical wires.

The Norton Police Department has not disclosed what evidence they based the DUI / OUI Charges on, including whether James LaVita submitted to any Field Sobriety Tests and or an Alcohol Breath Test.

Middleboro Man Charged with DUI Following Motorcycle Crash

Published on: May 5, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Richard Hasomeris, 42,of Middleboro, has been summonsed to appear in Middleboro District Court to answer a number of Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges for allegedly crashing his motorcycle into a car and then leaving the scene.

He has been charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Personal Injury, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Property Damage, and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, Richard Hasomeris crashed his Kawasaki ZX 900 motorcycle on Interstate 495 in Middleboro near Exit 4. It is alleged that Hasomeris left the scene of the accident, but State Police report that witnesses provided them with his registration number.

Springfield Man Charged with 4th Massachusetts DUI

Published on: May 4, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Jose A. Rivera, of Springfield, was arrested this past Monday on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after he allegedly hit a pedestrian. He was arraigned in Springfield District Court on Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, 4th Subsequent Offense.

According to the Springfield Police Department, Jose A. Rivera was arrested after police received a report of a pedestrian having been hit by a car. When police arrive, Rivera allegedly displayed “may signs of intoxication”, including alcohol on his breath, difficulty standing, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech.

Springfield Police Officers who responded to the accident allege that Rivera allegedly admitted to having been drinking and that he had had several ‘vodka drinks’. He claimed, however, that the pedestrian came out of nowhere and just walked in front of his car.

82 Year Old Dedham Man Arrested for DUI After Striking Norwood Police Car

Published on: May 3, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Daniel Farnkoff, 82, of Dedham, was arrested this past Friday on Violation of Massachusetts Drunk Driving Laws after allegedly colliding with a Norwood Police cruiser.

According to the Norwood Police Department, a Norwood Police Officer was in the process of handing out a citation to another driver when his police car was allegedly struck by another car driven by Daniel Farnkoff. Aside from the side view mirror of the police vehicle allegedly being struck, there was no other damage or injuries.

Other Norwood Police officers responded to the area and pulled Daniel Farnkoff’s vehicle over. Following an ‘on scene investigation’, Farnkoff was placed under arrest for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol.

Former Boston Red Sox Pitcher Derek Lowe Arrested for DUI

Published on: April 29, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Derek Lowe, 37, the baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox for 8 years, was arrested this past week on Drunk Driving Charges. He has been charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Stay in Marked Lanes.

Now playing for the Braves, Derek Lowe was arrested by police in Atlanta where he now plays for the Braves. Initial reports indicate that Lowe was pulled over for possibly racing another car. The police officer who pulled him over reported that he “detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” and asked him to perform Field Sobriety Tests. Derek Lowe did refuse, however, to submit to an Alcohol Breath Test.

In his 8 seasons playing for the Boston Red Sox, Derek Lowe had a record of 70-55, along with 85 saves and an ERA of 3.72.

North Andover Man Arrested for OUI Drugs

Published on: April 27, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

George Tzokos, 42, of North Andover, was arrested this past Monday for allegedly violating the Massachusetts Drunk Driving Laws and has been charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs.

According to the North Andover Police Department, George Tzokos was stopped by police after allegedly making an illegal left turn. Officers who pulled him over allege that he ‘appeared to be under the influence of an opiate’. There is no indication what other factors led police to believe that Tzokos was Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, e.g., whether he submitted to any Field Sobriety Tests and/or an Alcohol Breath Test.

A passenger in Tzokos’ car, Damian Kazakides, was also arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Class E Drugs.

Fall River Man Cited for Alleged DUI Following Crash

Published on: April 26, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Jason J. Reis, 33, of Fall River, was summonsed into court on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after crashing his car this past weekend. Reis will be charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to Fall River Police, Reis was allegedly driving on North Main Street when he attempted to turn without signaling. As he did so, he allegedly struck another car. Following the accident, Jason Reis was taken to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Simply because a person was involved in an accident is not fatal to your Massachusetts OUI / DUI case. Certainly, however, prosecutors will attempt to use each and every factor to establish evidence that your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Somerville Man Charged with DUI and Vehicular Homicide

Published on: April 23, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Kenneth Brelew, 21, of Somerville, was arrested yesterday morning on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges that left three people hospitalized and one woman dead. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning in Somerville District Court on DUI / OUI charges including Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Vehicular Homicide.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, Kenneth Brelew and four friends left a party early Friday morning and were traveling on McGrath Highway and Brelew apparently lost control of his car and crashed into a barrier. State Police believe that speed was also a factor.

Four of the passengers in the car, Jerry Altidor and Rudolph Reis, both of Somerville, and Rafaela Pereira, of Everett, were all taken to Massachusetts General Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Another passenger, however, a 16 year old woman, died at the scene of the crash.

Alleged Drunk Driver Hits Massachusetts State Trooper on I-93

Published on: April 22, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Leslie K. Minasian, 46, of East Bridgewater and former Boston resident, was arrested on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after she allegedly struck a state trooper on I-93 early this morning. She was arraigned in Quincy District Court this morning on charges including Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Second Subsequent Offense, and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

According to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, Leslie Minasian was driving on I-93, near the Route 24 exit, an area that was reportedly under construction and where a Massachusetts State Police Trooper was assigned for traffic control. The Trooper was inside his car, which was parked in a closed lane and with its emergency lights activated, when Minasian allegedly rear-ended the trooper’s car with her Land Rover Discovery.

The extent of the Massachusetts State Trooper’s injuries were not immediately available, but it was reported that he was hospitalized at Boston Medical Center.