The driver who allegedly struck a state trooper working a traffic detail in Cambridge on Monday morning was a repeat drunk driver with previous records of driving under the influence.
According to news reports regarding the accident, the drunk driver operating a Nissan Maxima slammed into a 24-year police veteran, State Police Captain Frank Hughes early Monday (12:30 am). Hughes was directing traffic in Cambridge after the Fourth of July concert and fireworks display on the Esplanade when he got struck and injured.
Hughes was the second state trooper injured by a vehicle while working a traffic detail during a 24-hour period on the Fourth of July weekend. The previous day, Sean M. McGarry suffered a leg injury when a car sideswiped him in Peabody.
The drunk driver in this case, Felix Morales, 39, of East Boston was charged with a third offense operating under the influence, as well as operating under the influence of liquor causing serious bodily injury with negligence; and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and other charges.
According to prosecutors, Morales told police he drank four beers in the 30 minutes before the Cambridge crash. He pleaded not guilty to his multiple charges.
Police reports noted that Morales was given a chemical breath test approximately two hours after the crash. His blood alcohol level at that time was 0.15 (the state limit is 0.08).
Morales has a previous record of OUI incidents – he was convicted of drunken driving in 1995 and 1999.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash, which Morales posted on July 6th.
Morales works for Whole Foods, and lives with his girlfriend and four children in East Boston.
