Father allegedly driving drunk injures police officer

LOWELL, Mass. -- A father in Lowell put his son and a police officer in danger on the Rourke Bridge while he was allegedly under the influence.

Around 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve police received phone calls describing an erratic driver near Wood Street and Princeton Boulevard.

An officer was able to locate the vehicle stopped on the Rourke Bridge.

“The officer activated his emergency lights,” said Captain Thomas Kennedy of the Lowell Police Department.

The officer then approached the vehicle.

“The operator was slumped in the operator’s seat with his head on his chest,” said Captain Kennedy.

The officer observed a 4-year-old in the backseat of the car without a seat belt on.

The vehicle was in gear with the driver’s foot on the brake when the officer attempted to put the car in park.

“The operator became startled and hit on the accelerator, thus dragging the officer approximately 20 to 30 feet,” said Captain Kennedy.

The officer is expected to recover from his injuries.

“We’re also very fortunate that the officer wasn’t injured worse than he was. We have a no tolerance policy for those who operate their vehicle under the influence of alcohol,” said Captain Kennedy.

The driver is facing numerous charges and will appear in court Tuesday in Lowell.

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