*** WATCH *** MAN ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING AFTER CRASHING INTO...

NEW DETAILS:

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – According to an arrest report filed by Patrolman Brody Deminico of the Barnstable Police Department, Saturday morning – 9/14/24 – at approximately 2:05 a.m., he arrived at the scene of a crash and found the driver still sitting in the driver’s seat of a Dodge Challenger with extensive front-end damage. Officer Deminico observed a broken fence and light pole, with fragments of vehicle parts scattered throughout the area. The driver – later arrested for drunk driving – reportedly told officers he was not from the area and was currently a Mass Maritime Student who had been out with friends throughout the evening. He also reportedly told officers he had been “communicating with another individual on the phone while operating the vehicle, lost control and crashed.”

As the investigation unfolded, Officer Dominico reportedly smelled a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the driver. An open bottle of tequila was reportedly found inside the heavily damaged Dodge Challenger. The driver then reportedly told officers that he “might be a little intoxicated.”

As you will see in the following HN Video, the driver attempted field sobriety tests and was eventually arrested.

Ja’iel Elijah Johnson, 23, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with OUI-LIQUOR, RECKLESS OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, MARKED LANES VIOLATION, AND USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE.

Johnson reportedly declined to present a breath test sample, and his license was consequently suspended.

INITIAL 9/14/24 HN VIDEO & REPORT:

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – [HN VIDEO NOTES] – At around [2:05] a.m. this morning, Barnstable Police patrol officers and Hyannis Firefighters responded to Sea Street near the intersection with Angell Road for single vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival, first responders found a heavily damaged two-door Dodge sedan crashed into a parked vehicle. It appears as though the Dodge had left the roadway, run over a small tree, taken out a street light pole, crossed the sidewalk, drove through a picket fence, and then crashed into a parked vehicle, with the light pole still embedded in its front end as it traveled. The power to several streetlights on Sea Street appeared to have been knocked out by the crash. The driver was standing outside of the wreckage when HN arrived on scene. He had a minor head laceration, was evaluated by Hyannis Rescue and eventually refused further medical care. The driver then appeared unsteady as he attempted field sobriety tests. He was then placed under arrest for Operating Under the Influence. The Dodge was registered out of New Mexico, and little is known about the driver at the time of this report. HN will hopefully have more details in the coming days. Check back for updates…

* Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The following HN Video contains footage of the crash scene and subsequent arrest. It also contains Barnstable Police radio transmissions.

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]