Stoughton Man Charged with Leaving Crash While Intoxicated

A Stoughton man struck another vehicle before driving home while under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Robert Francis Fitzgerald, 53, was arrested on New Year’s Day and charged with drunken driving, leaving the scene of property damage, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, according to the Stoughton Police Log. He was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on Jan. 4 and ordered held on bail.

According to court records, police responded to a report to a crash at the intersection of York and Washington Streets shortly before 6 p.m. Witnesses told officers they observed a vehicle north on Washington Street cross the middle yellow line and hit a car traveling in the opposite direction. The vehicle continued down the street, crossing lanes again and nearly hitting a second vehicle.

Police were able to find the car, described as a blue sedan with front-end damage on the driver’s side, at a local apartment complex where Fitzgerald lives. After identifying Fitzgerald as the owner of the car, police went to his apartment to locate him. Fitzgerald told police that was driving earlier and left the scene of an accident but became upset when asked why he left.

In the report, police said Fitzgerald lacked balance, had a strong odor of alcohol, and had bloodshot eyes. When asked if he was drinking, Fitzgerald said he had four or five alcoholic drinks at home, left to see his girlfriend in Plymouth, but ended up driving back to his residence.

During the conversation, Fitzgerald was dressed only in his underwear, with police noting that he appeared to be unconcerned with his attire before being asked to put pants on.

Fitzgerald was taken into police custody after failing multiple field sobriety tests. He refused to take a breath test during his booking at the Stoughton Police Department.

He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 9.