Alleged Drunk Driver Hits Irving Street Home

An alleged drunk driver was traveling toward the dead end of Irving Street Monday evening at a high rate of speed when she swerved left to avoid a parked pickup truck, went off the roadway and into the front steps of a home and then struck a large bush and another parked car, which was in the home’s driveway, before her own vehicle, a 2004 Ford Fusion, flipped onto its hood in the home’s front lawn, according to police.

Tiffany Lynn Gately, 21, of Gloria Avenue in Dracut, was arrested for operating under the influence by Winchester Police after she appeared drunk and failed field sobriety tests on scene. After speaking with Gately, an officer reported that “it was obvious that she was drunk,” according to the police report.

Gately, who officers said was rude and very emotional, later refused to take a breathalyzer test, police said. She also refused medical treatment, police said.

The crash, which occurred at about 7:40 p.m., was witnessed by a number of Irving Street residents, according to police.

The crash caused $6,000 worth of damage to the home’s front cement steps and railing, $1,000 worth to the large bush and $10,000 worth to the parked car, a 2004 Toyota Rav4, police said.