CHARLTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A driver allegedly lead police on a chase on the Mass. Pike in Charlton Sunday afternoon, before running away and being arrested in a swamp.
According to State Police Spokesperson Dave Procopio, at 5:27 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police received several calls from motorists reporting that a 2014 Cadillac XTS sedan was being driven erratically on the westbound side of the Mass. Pike.
The operator allegedly had caused multiple crashes on the Mass. Pike and kept driving. Cruisers were sent to the area and one of the patrols was able to locate the suspect vehicle at the 82.8-mile marker in Charlton.
The suspect refused to stop for the Trooper and continued with the chase. The suspect caused another crash and the Trooper stopped to attend to the vehicle that had crashed.
The suspect continued westbound before crashing at the 80.2-mile marker. Witnesses reported that the suspect, a man, ran on foot into the median.
Around 5:30 p.m., a homeowner in Charlton observed a man running through his backyard and called the police. Troopers rushed to that location within minutes and one of the Troopers identified the suspect as 33-year-old Carlos A. Rodriguez of Lowell as he ran into the woods behind the house.
The Trooper gave Rodriguez multiple commands to him to stop running, which he refused to do. Several troopers then chased him about 500 yards into the woods and into a swamp.
Troopers and officers found the suspect in a swamp off Simpson Road in Charlton, subdued him, and apprehended him in waist-deep water. During the trooper’s interactions with Rodriguez, they made observations that were consistent with intoxication, including an odor of alcohol, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and difficulty remaining steady on his feet.
Rodriguez was sent to Harrington Hospital by an EMS crew after complaining of pain while being booked at the Charlton Barracks. While Rodriguez was at the hospital, he was then booked over the phone with a Trooper standing by him. He was treated and released from the hospital and was held overnight at the Barracks. He is now at Dudley District Court for arraignment.
Carlos A. Rodriguez was charged with:
- OUI Liquor, second offense;
- Operating with a suspended license (license suspended for OUI);
- Operating while OUI after license suspension;
- Operating after license revocation for being a habitual traffic offend3er;
- Failure to stop for police;
- Leaving the scene of a crash that caused personal injury;
- Leaving the scene of a crash that caused property damage;
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle;
- Possession of alcohol in an open container in a motor vehicle;
- Assault and battery on a police officer; and
- Resisting arrest.
Troopers found evidence of narcotics and alcohol usage in the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle was found and towed to a State Police facility. One occupant of one of the vehicles struck by the suspect vehicle was sent to an area hospital for their injuries.
Other vehicles that were hit during the incident were:
- A Toyota RAV 4 SUV operated by a 62-year-old Utica, NY, man, who was not injured; and
- A 2015 Audi Q5 operated by an 80-year-old West Simsbury, Conn., man and also occupied by a 52-year-old female passenger. The passenger was transported by Auburn EMS to Harrington Hospital for possible injuries.
