Driver Charged in Wrong-Way OUI Arraigned in Court

WELLESLEY, MA — A Norwell man charged with driving while drunk from Walpole to Wellesley was arraigned in court Thursday afternoon.

Ahmed Ziad, 24, pleaded not guilty in Dedham District Court to operating under the influence of drugs, operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, wrong-way violation on a state highway, and a number of other traffic-related charges, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney's office. He was ordered held on $1,000 cash bail, with prosecutors requesting $2,500.

Late Thursday night, state police received calls about a wrong-way driver going northbound on the southbound side of Interstate 95 in the Walpole and Norwood area. Patrols responded to the area and local departments in towns along that part of I-95 were notified, according to state police.

Shortly after, a car attempting to avoid the wrong-way driver, who was operating what was described as a silver sedan, crashed into a guardrail. Police said no injuries were immediately reported.

Police then received a report of a vehicle matching the suspect's description on Interstate 93, traveling north in the southbound lane. Eventually, the driver corrected his course and began heading south on the southbound side of I-93 toward Route 128 North

A little after midnight, police pulled over a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla at Exit 20B in Wellesley and arrested Ziad.

Ziad is due back in court on Jan. 26.

Dan Libon (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

Image: File photo