By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man driving drunk at 7 a.m. crashed into a pole on Hinckley Street Sunday and had to be helped out of the smoking car by a neighborhood man, police said.

After the crash the driver, Luis Majano, 40, and two other occupants tried to leave the scene on foot – one man did get away before officers arrived, police said.

When police responded to the scene, Salvador Galvez, 39, of 1 Bennington St., East Boston, tried to interfere with the investigation by claiming to be the driver of the car, police said.

Witnesses insisted to officers that Majano was the driver

Police said both men smelled of alcohol and were unsteady on their feet.

Majano, of 278 Powder House Boulevard, was arrested and charged with drunk driving, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Galvez was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and improper operation of a motor vehicle.