BOSTON, Jan. 12, 2015— A Revere man was arraigned today on charges he was driving drunk when he caused a weekend crash on Route 1A, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SANTIAGO GONZALEZ (D.O.B. 4/27/73) was arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and unlicensed operation. Assistant District Attorney Emily Hamrock requested bail of $2,500 and conditions that Gonzalez remain alcohol- and drug-free and not drive in the event that he were to be released on bail. Judge John McDonald imposed $500 bail and the requested conditions of release.

Boston Police officers responded to the area of Route 1A North and Boardman Street in East Boston at approximately 4:00 a.m. Sunday. While en route, officers observed transformers arcing and blowing up along Route 1A. At the scene of the crash, they observed a telephone pole that had been chopped in half, transformers and junction boxes on the ground, and a power outage affecting a large surrounding area.

Officers approached a white Toyota Tundra that was stopped on the grass off the side of the roadway and found Gonzalez in the driver’s seat; officers detected the odor of alcohol and observed that Gonzalez had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

While at the scene, officers were approached by a taxi driver who stated that he crashed into the raised curb after striking the downed wires on the northbound side of the roadway.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Gonzalez was transported to the station, where he failed a series of field sobriety tests and allegedly refused a breath test, prosecutors said. Officers determined that Gonzalez did not have a valid driver’s license.

Gonzalez is represented by Austin Freeley. He will return to court March 5.

–30–

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