Three arrested for impaired driving, including man who drove into building

Aug 5, 2020

The driver who drove his car inside a building on Main Street on Tuesday has been arrested for operating under the influence of liquor.

The man, John P. Lopes, 71, of Marion, appeared to have driven down the hill on Chapel Street, blown through the stop sign and intersection, and continued to travel across at least 30 feet of pavement before his car finally came to a stop fully within the building at 367 Main Street. The incident took place at about 1:42 p.m.

There were no injuries, but police say Lopes appeared to be “highly intoxicated.”

After a field sobriety test, Lopes was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Lopes was the second intoxicated driver arrested that day.

Earlier, at about 11:05 a.m., Brandon Buchanan, 24, of East Falmouth, was involved in a minor car accident in front of the 5-Star Gateway Gas Station on Cranberry Highway. A responding officer observed that Buchanan appeared to be impaired, and arrested him for operating under the influence of drugs, operating to endanger, following too closely, and a preexisting active warrant.

On Monday, a New Bedford woman was arrested at 9 p.m. for operating under the influence. After being observed driving erratically, Sonya Ramos, 28, was pulled over by police on Onset Avenue. After a brief struggle, Ramos was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and resisting arrest.

“Incidents with people driving under the influence are very troubling. In these particular cases, we are lucky that no one was seriously injured or killed because of someone’s reckless conduct,” Chief John Walcek said. “Our police department has zero tolerance for people who selfishly choose to endanger lives while behind the wheel.”