Drunken Driver Hits Porch, Winds Up on Top of Another Car

A man allegedly driving while drunk tried to escape from a police officer and ended up clipping a home and the car came to rest on top of a car in a parking lot near the corner of Summer and Church streets in the early hours of Thursday.

An officer spotted a car coming weaving on the road as it came toward him on Forest Street, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn.

"The officer activated the lights on top of his car to try to stop the driver, but the motor vehicle continued and increased his rate of speed," Lawn said.

The car went past the cruiser, and the officer believed it turned onto Summer.

"A short time later there was a report of an accident at Church and Summer (streets)," Lawn said. "A Dodge Charger hit a sign, continued on a grassy area, along the side of a residence where it struck a column in front of the house. It ended up on a grey Acura."

When officers arrived, the saw two men. While they were talking to one man, Lawn said, the second man walked away. He was later located walking on Palfrey Street, Lawn said.

"He had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath," Lawn said.

John G. Diliberto Jr., 20, of 52 Bartlett St. in Watertown, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop for police, reckless driving and possession of alcohol by a person under 21, Lawn said.