Alleged drunk driver crashes into truck

MARSHFIELD, Mass. -- Two local teenagers were caught in a serious crash. Police said a drunk driver plowed into their car. The suspect answered to charges on Friday in court.

The defendant and owner of the jaguar that was involved in the crash, was held on $5,000 cash bail. It is certain that he made bail, because he was seen outside of the police station on Friday afternoon.

Marshfield police claimed he rammed his jaguar into a pickup truck, causing it to flip on its side. Luckily, the two teenage boys inside were not badly hurt.

54-year-old John Murray was allegedly drunk and speeding in his 2004 jaguar when his vehicle hit a white GMC pickup truck Thursday night, with an 18-year-old from Scituate at the wheel. He was showing off his new car to a 16-year-old friend from Marshfield. Photos from the scene show the pickup on its side and the jaguar’s hood ripped open.

A woman who was right in front of the boys in the pickup witnessed the scene play out on South River St.

“The car went by me what seemed like probably like 70 miles per hour, and I only stopped because in my rear-view mirror I saw he got into an accident, the truck was on its side and so I just pulled over and ran back. The guy had already fled the scene so I couldn’t even tell you, you know, ‘cause it was dark, if somebody went over the line…I just knew he was going really fast. I kept thinking a couple seconds before that it could have been me,” said Jennifer Hession, a witness.

Still sitting in the back of the jaguar on Friday was a large package of beer and some wine. Several people called 911 and emergency personnel rushed to the scene. The two teens were found outside of the pickup truck. Firefighters said they lost consciousness and had to be brought to the hospital. Firefighters checked on the jaguar, but they couldn’t find the driver.

Prosecutors said they found the driver a short distance away in Kent Park, the neighborhood where he lives with his girlfriend.

“They noticed that his words were slurred. He stated that he was okay and did not need medical attention but that he did have too much to drink and was out for a walk. Denied driving, denied being in an accident,” said Doug Humphrey, Plymouth County Assistant D.A.

Marshfield police said Murray was very belligerent and did bring him back to the accident scene. They also said two other witnesses that had seen the crash were there and positively identified him. One of those witnesses tried to chase Murray down as he fled the scene.

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