18-Year-Old Watertown Man Arrested on OUI Charge After Hitting Fence at Cemetery

Watertown Police arrested an 18-year-old Watertown man on a drunken driving charge after he allegedly struck the wrought-iron fence of the Common Street Cemetery and left the scene, said Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady.

Avetis Chekmeyan, 18, of 221 Arsenal St. Apt 2 in Watertown, was driving a 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan with his 16-year-old girlfriend when h e allegedly struck the fence along Common Street on July 4 at 11:39 p.m.

Police arrived at the scene of the accident and found the girl, who had suffered injuries to both her arms. She was taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital for treatment, Grady said.

Chekmeyan had driven away, but the minivan was damaged, and he parked nearby before walking away on foot.

Officers found Chekmeyan and smelled an odor of alcohol on his breath, Grady said.

“They did field sobriety tests and he failed,” Grady said.

It is not clear where the Chekmeyan was coming from when the accident occurred because he gave conflicting statements, Grady said.

Along with a charge for driving under the influence of alcohol, Chekmeyan faces a charge of leaving the scene of personal injury, Grady said.

The cost to repair the fence is estimated to be $3,000, Grady said.