A 30-year-old man from Maine is in custody following a series of incidents in Massachusetts early Thursday morning, culminating in his arrest on charges including operating under the influence of drugs and negligent operation. The incidents began with a dramatic crash into a rest area complex on Route 24 South in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and continued with a subsequent collision approximately 30 miles away in Westport.
According to Massachusetts State Police, the initial incident occurred around , at approximately 4:00 a.m. A 2016 Ford F-350 pickup truck, bearing Maine license plates, drove into the lobby of the rest area, damaging the front entrances of both a Dunkin’ Donuts and a Burger King restaurant. Denise Agnello, a Burger King employee who was present at the time, described the impact as shaking the entire building. “A big F-250 hit the front of the building,” Agnello said. “I ran out, and he gassed it in reverse, took off forward, did some donuts in the parking lot and then left the rest area. But luckily, his license plate fell off.”
The driver, later identified as Andrew Beaulieu of Carthage, Maine, did not immediately stop. Witnesses reported he performed maneuvers in the parking lot before fleeing the scene. The falling license plate proved crucial in identifying the suspect and initiating a search. State Police issued a “BOLO” – Be On the Lookout – alert for the vehicle and driver.
Approximately one hour later, police in Westport responded to a single-vehicle crash on Forge Road. The vehicle involved was the same Ford F-350 pickup truck from the Bridgewater rest area incident. Upon arrival, state troopers determined that Beaulieu exhibited signs of impairment. He was subsequently arrested and faces multiple charges, including operating under the influence of drugs and negligent operation. The extent of any injuries sustained in either crash remains unclear.
The incident at the Bridgewater rest area caused significant disruption, forcing the evacuation of both the Burger King and Dunkin’ Donuts establishments. Authorities noted that the damage could have been far more extensive were it not for a sturdy concrete ashtray that partially obstructed the truck’s path, preventing it from driving further into the fast-food seating area. The quick response of law enforcement, aided by the dropped license plate, was instrumental in locating and apprehending the suspect.
The arrest of Beaulieu raises questions about road safety and the potential for impaired driving, particularly on major transportation routes like Route 24. While the investigation is ongoing, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with operating a vehicle under the influence. The charges against Beaulieu suggest authorities suspect drug impairment, a growing concern in traffic safety nationwide.
The sequence of events – the initial crash, the evasive maneuvers, the subsequent collision, and the eventual arrest – highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to incidents involving potentially impaired drivers. The coordinated response between the Massachusetts State Police and the Westport Police Department was critical in bringing the situation to a resolution.
The investigation into the crashes is ongoing, and further details regarding the specific charges and potential penalties faced by Beaulieu are expected to be released in the coming days. Authorities have not yet commented on the potential motivations behind the driver’s actions, focusing instead on the immediate safety concerns and the legal proceedings.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of public spaces, even those designed to provide rest and refreshment for travelers. The damage to the rest area facilities will likely require repairs, causing temporary inconvenience to motorists utilizing Route 24. The case also highlights the importance of vigilance among both law enforcement and the public in identifying and reporting suspected impaired drivers.
