Needham Crash Leads to West Boylston Man's Third OUI Charge

Originally published on Oct. 25, 2016

NEEDHAM, MA — A West Boylston man involved in a single-car crash faces this third drunken driving offense, police said.

Joseph Malo, 36, was arrested early Monday morning and charged with his third operating under the influence of alcohol offense, according to the Needham Police Department. He was arraigned in Dedham District Court later that day and is free on $1,000 cash bail, according to court records.

At about 1:30 a.m., an officer stopped to assist what appeared to be a disabled motor vehicle on Highland Avenue, according to a police report. The driver, identified as Malo, was asked by police if he was alright or needed help, but provided no response.

While at the scene, officers noticed damage to bumper and a flat tire. Malo said he wasn't injured and he didn't know what happened. When police asked where he was coming from, he allegedly said he was going from Boston to West Boylston, but had no idea he was in Needham. Police described Malo as having bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Malo told officers that had six drinks and wasn't drunk because he was able to pass a breathalyzer installed in his car. After failing a field sobriety exercise, Malo allegedly declined to take another test and was taken into custody, police said.

Malo is due back in court on Oct. 24.

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