Nichols' OUI hearing postponed

BLANDFORD, Mass. (WWLP) - A court hearing has been postponed for Rob Nichols, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Blandford, who is accused of crashing his SUV into a school bus while under the influence of drugs last May. Rob Nichols' Attorney, Tom Kokonowski, told the 22News I-Team the hearing will be held sometime within the next couple of months at Westfield District Court.

State Police say Nichols was under the influence of drugs when he crashed his SUV into a school bus in Blandford on May 19th, 2011. Nichols was arrested at Noble Hospital in Westfield, where he was taken after suffering minor injuries in the crash.

According to a news release from the Massachusetts State Police, Nichols was speeding down South Street when he crossed the center line and collided with the bus. The driver and three of the four Chester Elementary School students on the bus were taken to Noble Hospital for observation. None of them were seriously injured.

Inside Nichols’ Land Rover, troopers allegedly found two pill bottles containing various pills and tablets. A drug recognition expert then interviewed Nichols, and determined that he was under the influence of narcotics. He was arrested and booked while being treated at the hospital.

Trooper George Beaupre from the State Police's Russell Barracks told 22News Nichols was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Speeding. The 22News I-Team will continue to follow this story.