Danvers Man Flees Crash Scene, Punches Officer When Apprehended

Police received reports Saturday at about 6 p.m. that a vehicle had crashed into a house on Foss Terrace, reports that ultimately led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Danvers man.

According to a post on the Marblehead Police Facebook page, police arrived at the scene to find the vehicle had crashed into a pole with a gas line and the vehicle remained in gear and running.

Witnesses told police that the driver had left the scene on foot and provided police with a “good description of the suspect.”

A short time later, according to police, a patrol officer spotted a man matching the description on Pond Street. When the officer approached the man, he fled but was soon apprehended. Still, the suspect refused to cooperate and be interviewed.

“Up until this point, the suspect was not under formal arrest but was being detained and as such, was not in handcuffs,” the Facebook post notes.

At this point, the suspect punched the officer in the face attempted to flee again. Two officers pursued the man and, upon catching him, a struggle broke out. Using pepper spray, the officers will able to subdue and handcuff the suspect.

Responding firefighters also assisted with getting the suspect out of a snowdrift and back to the street.

The suspect and his passenger, who remained with the vehicle following the crash and isn’t facing charges at this time, were transported to the hospital for evaluation. Officers were bruised but otherwise uninjured.

The 19-year-old Danvers man who was driving and fled the scene has been arrested and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Drugs, two counts of leaving the scene of motor vehicle accident causing property damage, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, wanton destruction of property over $250.

“The Marblehead Police would like to thank the different citizens who came forward to provide information relating to this incident, which helped to identify the individual and also one citizen who came forward and verified the officer’s account of the assault and battery on the police officer.”