Reading Man Arraigned On Drunk Driving Charges Following Crash In Wilmington

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Shawn Norton, 43, of Reading, was arraigned today in Woburn District Court on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop for police, speeding, and failure to operate a vehicle within marked lanes.

Judge Cesar Archilla set bail at $100 cash with conditions to include that Norton, who is employed as a police officer in the city of Medford, not drive without a valid license and have no contact with and stay away from the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash. The defendant’s next scheduled court date is Tuesday, April 21.

Authorities say that just after 11 p.m., Wednesday, February 11, an individual called Reading police to report that he was following a vehicle in Reading which had just been involved in a hit and run motor vehicle crash in Wilmington. Police officers located the alleged hit and run driver operating a vehicle with heavy front end damage at the intersection of John Carver Road and Hartshorn Street in Reading. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle ignored police emergency lights and the vehicle continued down the road, making several turns, and finally stopping in the parking lot of the Birch Meadow School. When police officers approached the vehicle, they had to issue several commands before the driver exited. Officers observed that the defendant was unsteady on his feet, had an odor of alcohol, and had difficulty complying with their instructions.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Tokufumi Noda.