K9 Tracks Down Alleged Route 1 Drunk Driver After Crash

A man accused of drunkenly crashing through a fire hydrant and into a stone wall was tracked down by a K9 unit early Thursday morning, State Police said.

Police say Trooper Patrick Marks attempted to make a traffic stop on Route 1 in Lynnfield shortly after midnight when he observed a driver texting and unable to stay in his lane. The vehicle didn't stop and drove off Route 1 into Lynn, where Marks decided to end the pursuit for safety reasons.

Marks came upon the vehicle a short time later; The vehicle had crashed through a fire hydrant and into a stone wall, police said.

The suspected driver was seen running into a wooded area.

Trooper Tom Janeczak of the K9 Unit was nearby and deployed his K9 Tank, which acquired the suspect's scent and tracked him down into a backyard, flushing him from the yard.

Marks and Trooper Nick Favaloro captured the suspect after a brief foot chase.

The suspect was arrested and charged with several offenses, including texting while driving, failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, open container of alcohol, operating under the influence of alcohol 3rd offense and operating after license suspension subsequent offense.

Photo of Tank courtesy of Mass State Police