By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers and EMT’s were dispatched to the intersection of Beacon St. and Beacon Pl. last Saturday for a motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, police were met by two ambulances and three fire units. The officers observed a motor vehicle situated at an angle with the driver side damaged.

As the police officers looked around for the other motor vehicle, they were approached by personnel from the Somerville Fire Department who advised them that they had the other motor vehicle further down the street near Beacon St. and Washington St. and that the driver of the other vehicle stated that he is drunk and had been drinking, and that the other operator was taken to Cambridge City Hospital for his injuries.

As officers approached the operator, later identified as Leo Murphy, of Weymouth, they found him sitting in the front passenger seat. The officers asked Murphy if he needed any medical attention and was advised by one of the EMT’s on the scene that Murphy was adamant about not going to the hospital and that he had signed a medical refusal form.

Police spoke with a witness who stated that she left S&S restaurant and was behind Murphy’s vehicle. She stated that the vehicle was swerving in and out of the lane a lot, as if he was going to park, but at the last minute deciding not to park.

Once on Beacon St., the vehicle allegedly took out one of the yellow poles in the street then swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic. After going into the oncoming lane he reportedly continued driving in that lane then his head plopped down before colliding with the other vehicle.

The officers spoke with another witness who stated that she was driving behind the vehicle that was struck and that she saw the other vehicle swerving out of his lane and into their lane. While in their lane, Murphy’s vehicle reportedly struck a truck and spun it around before going back into his lane and continued to where he was stopped on the sidewalk. This witness also stated that it appeared as if Murphy’s head was down while he was driving.

The officers asked Murphy if he had anything to drink and he reportedly stated that he had been drinking all day. He also stated that he knew he was drunk because he had a few drinks earlier and shortly before driving he again had four more shots of alcohol.

At that point the officers asked Murphy to step away from his vehicle in order to administer a field sobriety test. Murphy then reportedly said, “Why waste your time? I know I’m drunk and I won’t pass it.”

Murphy reportedly told the police officers that he will not pass because he has been drinking before beginning the test.

While doing the test, Murphy was not able to stay on the line, took eleven steps, and on his way back did not walk on the line. It was at that point that Murphy was placed under arrest on charges of failure to stop or yield and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Murphy was asked where was he drinking, when was he drinking, and how much did he drink. He reportedly stated that he had been drinking all day and that he went to the package store that morning and that is where he got the booze, but he would not say from where.

While at the station, Murphy chose to take a breathalyzer test. The test came back with a reading of .13%.