Hingham Police Charge Woman Banned From Driving With 8th OUI

HINGHAM, MA – A Hull woman whose driver license was revoked for life was charged with her eighth drunken driving offense Monday morning.

Deborah L. Letourneau, 52, was arrested and additionally charged with operating with a license suspended for an OUI, operating to endanger, operating with a licence suspended for an OUI while operating under the influence, leaving the scene after causing property damage, and driving with an open container of alcohol, according to the Hingham Police Department.

On Monday at 11:24 a.m., a man approached Sgt. Matthew Lucas while he was on a traffic detail to report he had just witnessed a car swipe the side of a parked car on South Street in Hingham Square and drive away. The witness provided the registration and description of the car that left the scene. The car listed to a resident of Hull.

Officer David Orlandi, who was traveling on Summer Street at the time, immediately saw the car traveling toward him. Police say the vehicle had fresh damage on the driver’s side. After Orlandi signaled to the driver to pull over, the vehicle initially didn't initially pull over, but eventually stopped near the Hingham District Court on George Washington Boulevard.

The driver, identified as Letourneau, allegedly had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and smelled of an alcoholic beverage. Police say she admitted to sideswiping the parked car but denied having anything to drink.

She was taken into custody after failing a series of field sobriety tests. During the tests, she allegedly told the officer “I just want to go home," before she admitted that she had been drinking but said it was “not much”.

In the center console, police found a large coffee cup that appeared to contain alcohol. Inside the driver’s door pocket was a spring water bottle with a dark liquid that also smelled of alcohol. The contents of both tested positive for alcohol.

The vehicle driven by Letourneau was not registered to her and had damage consistent with the alleged hit and run, police said.

Letourneau's previous seven OUI convictions came in 2014 in New York, 2010 in Boston, 2004 in Hingham, 2001 in Hingham, 2000 in Holbrook, 1997 in Braintree and 1997 from MA State Police. Her Massachusetts driver’s license was revoked for life in 2010.

Letourneau was arraigned at Hingham District Court Tuesday and was ordered held without bail pending a June 26 probation violation and a dangerousness hearing.

Image: File Photo