Drunk Driver Hit Fence, Had Large Quantity Of Drugs: Reading Police

READING, MA — A man driving under the influence crashed into a property's fence, and police found a large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia in his car Wednesday, according to police.

Police received reports of a man believed to have fallen asleep behind the wheel of a black Ford Edge while waiting at a traffic light in the area of Main Street and Salem Street at 2:31 p.m.

Officers were en route when they received an update from dispatch that the car had driven off the road and crashed outside a Dudley Street home, damaging a fence on the property. The driver was seen leaving the crash on foot.

Police found the driver about 100 yards away from the crash and later identified him as Bryant Aquino, 25, of Lawrence, according to police.

The car was a rental which Aquino was not registered to drive.

Aquino was arrested. Police said he provided a false name and had warrants out for his arrest in other towns.

Police searched the Ford Edge and said they found about 40.34 ounces of marijuana, about 575 round orange pills, drug paraphernalia including scales and small clear baggies, and open containers of alcohol.

He was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, refusing to identify self while operating a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, concealing leased/rented property, possession of a class B substance with intent to distribute, possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute, and arrestee furnishing false name to a law enforcement officer.

He was arraigned in Woburn District Court on Thursday.

“I would like to thank the residents and community members who assisted in this incident,” Chief David Clark said in a statement. “We always encourage our community to call if they see something suspicious and I applaud the residents for their active roles in this incident. I would also like to thank our officers for their continued hard work and diligence throughout this incident.”