Local Man Allegedly Strikes Orne Street Utility Pole, Flees Scene

A Marblehead man accused of fleeing the scene of an alleged drunk driving accident that split a utility pole on Orne Street Saturday night was arraigned in court on Monday.

James Wade, 22, of 33 Birch St., Marblehead, pleaded not guilty Monday in Lynn District Court to charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, second offense; operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs (Prazosin), second offense; negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and resisting arrest.

At 9:12 p.m., police responded to the area of 13 Orne St. after learning that a vehicle had just crashed into a utility pole and the driver, who appeared intoxicated, tried to push the deployed airbag back into the steering wheel before driving away toward Beacon Street.

Wade was reportedly located soon after walking down Beacon Street and reportedly struggled with officer Christopher Gallo for a full minute while being placed under arrest. Gallo reportedly injured his neck during the incident.

Wade reportedly told police he planned on reporting his car stolen before they arrived and said he crashed into the pole because he took too many Prazosin tablets earlier in the night, according to court documents.

During the booking process, police reportedly located a receipt for $12.75 from The Landing Restaurant labeled "PM Bar", which was allegedly cleared 20 minutes before the first report of the crash on Orne Street.

Wade was ordered released on his own recognizance and scheduled to return to court on Jan. 3 for a pretrial hearing.