Dedham Middle School Principal Admits to OUI Charge

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately admitted that she was drunk when was driving in Weston earlier this month.

Gatley was in Waltham District Court Monday for a pre-trial hearing, where she admitted that there were sufficient facts that she was driving drunk. Her case was continued without a finding for one year, according to CBS Boston.

If she stays out of trouble, the charge will be removed from her record.

Her driver's license has been suspended for 45 days and she has been ordered to enter an alcohol rehabilitation program.

At about 12:50 a.m. on April 3, a caller in Weston told police that he was following a car that was driving all over the road and nearly crashed four times. According to a police report, the caller followed the car into a parking lot on River Road where the driver, identified as Gately, opened the door and hunched over as if she was going to vomit. The caller then took the keys from Gately.

Gately was taken into custody after failing multiple field sobriety tests. During the booking process, she allegedly registered a blood alcohol content level of 0.19., well over the legal limit of 0.08.

After her arrest, Gatley was placed on administrative leave by Dedham Superintendent Michael Welch. She remains on leave this week.