BOSTON, Oct. 18, 2013—A former chemist at the Department of Public Health’s Hinton Laboratory was arraigned today for allegedly driving drunk and rear-ending another vehicle, injuring its pregnant operator, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

HEVIS LLESHI (D.O.B. 1/4/82) of Quincy was formally charged in Chelsea District Court with operating under the influence for the incident earlier this week in Revere. Assistant District Attorney Christopher Henry recommended $5,000 bail and orders that she remain free of drugs and alcohol, submit to random testing, and not drive while the case is pending; Judge Benjamin Barnes released her on her own recognizance with prosecutors’ recommended conditions of release.

Revere Police responded to the area of North Shore Road and Oak Island Street at about 5:30 on Wednesday evening for a report of a motor vehicle collision. On arrival, they found a 37-year-old Marblehead woman who was four months pregnant and suffering from non-fatal injuries. That woman was transported to Whidden Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released; specialists from Massachusetts General Hospital are monitoring her pregnancy.

Lleshi was still behind the wheel of her Audi when police arrived and told officers that she didn’t know what happened. She allegedly slurred her speech and smelled of alcohol, so officers asked if she had consumed any alcoholic beverages that day.

“About three,” she allegedly said.

During a series of field sobriety tests, Lleshi allegedly could not keep her balance while walking a straight line. She allegedly was unable to follow the tip of the officer’s pen smoothly with her eyes. She allegedly said she knew the alphabet, having graduated from Boston University, but she did not actually recite it.

Revere Police placed Lleshi under arrest. At the station, she agreed to take a Breathalyzer test and allegedly blew a .24 – three times the legal limit for driving.

Lleshi, who once worked for DPH testing evidence suspected of being illegal narcotics, allegedly told booking officers that she had been at Suffolk Superior Court prior to consuming alcohol at a nearby bar. Suffolk prosecutors were unable to find any criminal proceeding in which she had been called to testify.

Lleshi was represented by attorney Laurence Richmond. She will return to court on Oct. 31.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.