Reading Man Faces Drunken Driving Charge In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Reading man was charged with drunken driving after a crash that resulted in his SUV catching fire, police said. Officers responded to Fitchburg Street in Somerville shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday after an SUV hit a wall and caught fire.

Samuel Wilson, 43, was found inside the SUV, according to the police report. Officers were able to get him away from the car, where he started yelling he was "sorry," police said. As emergency crews brought the fire under control, Wilson became "extremely animated," apologized repeatedly and told officers he had too much to drink, according to police.

Wilson was slurring his words, unsteady on his feet and smelled like alcohol, police said. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his eyelids were droopy and he had a red mark on his nose, the report stated.

Wilson declined medical attention at the scene. He told officers he had "too much" to drink and asked to be taken to jail. He agreed to undergo field sobriety tests and get his blood alcohol level tested, according to police. Wilson had a blood alcohol level of .144, over the legal limit of 0.08, police said.

Wilson was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.