Lowell Police Officer Charged With OUI Held On Bail In Fatal Methuen Crash
LAWRENCE (CBS/AP) — A veteran Lowell police officer was held on bail after his arraignment Monday on charges that he was driving drunk when he caused a fatal accident in Methuen early Saturday.
A judge in Lawrence District Court set $100,000 cash bail for Eric Wayne on charges including motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol in the Methuen crash.
The judge also revoked Wayne's bail in a 2013 drunken driving case meaning he will be held for 60 days before he can post bail. If he does make bail he must stay at home and wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. The judge also set the conditions that Wayne refrain from drinking alcohol and undergo random drug testing.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
Lowell Police Officer Arraigned On OUI Charge In Fatal Crash
Police say the 41-year-old Wayne was driving west on Route 110 at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday when he crossed the centerline and struck an SUV head-on. The driver, 26-year-old Briant Paula of Lawrence, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His sister Lois was in the passenger seat and was seriously injured.
A Lowell native and 19-year police veteran, Wayne was off duty when the crash happened.
At the arraignment, prosecutor said that after the crash, Wayne called for a ride saying, "I need to get (expletive) out of here."
Prosecutors also said Wayne did not have a license at the time of the crash and told police his name was Blaine.
Wayne's license has been in a "non-renew" status since May for unpaid tolls, according to MassDOT.
Outside the courthouse, Paula's family was furious.
"Throw away the keys just like they'll do to me if I would have done that," said Edwin Quezada, a relative of Paula.
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