A 33-year-old Norwood man was held on high bail at his arraignment today on charges that he was drunk early Sunday morning when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 and collided with another vehicle, killing the passenger and seriously injuring the driver, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

PHILIP DANIELS (D.O.B. 3/7/76) was arraigned in the Boston Municipal Court on charges of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol, operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle the wrong way.

“There is absolutely no excuse for drinking and driving under any circumstances,” Conley said. “This defendant is alleged to have driven drunk after a night out at a bar, and as a result of this decision, one person is dead and another is clinging to life.”

Assistant District Attorney Gregory Henning of Conley’s Major Felony Bureau recommended that Daniels be held on $100,000 cash bail; District Court Judge Patricia Bernstein imposed the recommended bail.

Henning told the court at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Sunday morning, Daniels was driving a black 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he drove his vehicle down an exit ramp at Congress Street. Daniels began traveling in the wrong direction on the eastbound side of Interstate 90.

As Daniels continued to drive in the wrong direction on the highway, he collided with a 1978 MG Midget that was properly traveling on the eastbound side of the highway. Henning told the court that Daniels “collided head on” with that vehicle, resulting in “devastating effects” to both the sports car and the two occupants inside.

The passenger of the 1978 MG Midget was killed in the collision; the driver of the car was severely injured and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment, where he remains in critical condition. Both victims were freed from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life.

When Massachusetts State Troopers and State Police detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene, they observed Daniels standing next to his vehicle. When Daniels spoke to troopers he, “admitted he had been drinking alcohol that night,” Henning said.

Shortly thereafter, Daniels attempted to flee the scene by running down Interstate 90, but was apprehended by authorities who had responded to the scene.

Following his arrest, Daniels consented to take a breathalyzer test. The results of the breathalyzer test indicated that Daniels had a blood-alcohol level of .23 – nearly three times the legal limit to drive.

Daniels was represented by attorney Richard Quinby and is expected to return to court on Jan. 27, 2010.