Man evades sobriety checkpoint, leads police on chase

LAWRENCE, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Lawrence man is accused of going through a sobriety checkpoint, hitting a state trooper with his car, and then leading officers on a chase early Sunday morning.

Troopers say 32-year-old Ottoniel Herrera of Lawrence was drunk behind the wheel when he drove through a sobriety checkpoint on Route 28 and Wolcott Street in Lawrence at 2:15 a.m. Sunday. Herrara allegedly struck a trooper in the hand when police attempted to pull him over. He then drove off.

At least one trooper opened fire, but no one was hit.

A short chase ensued from Route 28 to Interstate 495. Troopers followed Herrara until he exited on the

Massachusetts Avenue exit in North Andover, ending at the Sutton Street intersection, where the suspect vehicle and a pursuing cruiser crashed. Herrara was then arrested.

Herrara is facing a number of charges that include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, and operating under the influence of liquor.

The trooper who was grazed by the car was taken to Lawrence General Hospital with injuries that are not considered serious. Herrara was hospitalized for a short time, but then taken to the state police barracks in Andover.

Herrara is scheduled to appear in Lawrence District Court on Monday.