Brockton State Senator Charged With OUI

BROCKTON, MA — A state Senator from Brockton faces charges of drunken driving from over the weekend, at least the second time he's faced such charges.

State Senator Michael Brady was arrested in Weymouth early Saturday morning and arraigned in Quincy District Court Monday. The clerk's office told State House News that Brady pleaded not guilty and is free on personal recognizance.

"I want to apologize to the Weymouth Police, my constituents, my friends and colleagues in the Legislature for any embarrassment and distraction that this incident causes. I know that as a Senator, I am held to a higher standard, and I will abide by the advice of my counsel as this matter is adjudicated by our judiciary. I am grateful for the fairness, integrity and transparency of that process," Brady said in a statement released to State House News.

Police got wind of Brady after a caller reported a vehicle on Interstate 93 that was swerving back and forth. Brady then exited towards Route 3 before leaving the highway at Exit 16. An officer located Brady's vehicle allegedly swerving across two southbound travel lanes on Route 18 and almost driving into the parking lot of a liquor store, according to a police report.

Police say Brady had a blank stare, bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech and a strong smell of alcohol. The state senator told police he was drinking at a work event in Boston. He was taken into custody after failing five field sobriety tests including one where he was asked to recite the alphabet, State House News reported.

At one point during the interaction with police, he handed over his Commonwealth of Massachusetts identification card and told the officer he was a state senator.

Police said Brady had also been charged with an OUI in 1998 in Weymouth.

Karl Ulett, the driver who called the police, told the news service that he saw from his rearview mirror that Brady was not steady behind the wheel. He then pulled over to let Brady pass him and he followed the vehicle down the highway. Ulett said he feels better knowing he made the right call.

Brady served seven years in the House before winning a special Senate election in 2015. He is currently the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue.

Materials from State House News was used in this story.

Photo: Sam Doran/State House News Service