The following is a summary of the details related to this incident.

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, I, Officer David Ruf, was in full-uniform and assigned to marked cruiser East-1, for the Somerville Police Department. At approximately 11:33 P.M., Officer Cleary (East-4) and I were dispatched to Washington Street and Myrtle Street for motor vehicle accident with injuries. Both roads are public ways in the city of Somerville.

Upon arrival I observed a red Nissan (Mass. reg XXXX) sideways with heavy damage to the driver’s side rear quarter panel and also the driver’s side curtain airbags were deployed. I was able to locate the driver and passenger to the vehicle, XXXX and XXXX, standing away from the car in the bus stop. I spoke with XXXX first, who complaining for left side pain and she stated the following; she was heading west bound on Washington Street when a car that was speeding hit the driver’s side of her vehicle and spun her car sideways. The car then took off and she was assisted by a witness. I then spoke with XXXX, who was complaining of neck pain and he stated the following; he was getting an Uber ride by XXXX when the car was struck and spun around. Both parties were complaining of injuries, but refused medical treatment at this time.

I also spoke with the witness, XXXX, who stated the following; he was driving west bound on Washington Street, approximately two cars behind XXXX, when he observed the vehicle strike XXXX vehicle and then fled up Myrtle Street. The vehicle directly in front of his followed the defendants vehicle while Mr. XXXX assisted XXXX and her passenger. It should be noted that Mr. XXXX stated that approximately 7-10 minutes had elapsed from when the accident happened to when officers arrived on scene.

I then made my way up to 49 Myrtle Street where Officer Cleary was off with the striking vehicle (Mass. reg XXXX) and its operator, Brandon Daughtrey. I asked Brandon what had taken place tonight and he stated that he was involved in an accident, where a vehicle hit him and he pulled over right away. Brandon stated he believed the vehicle that was following him was the vehicle that he was involved in the accident with. I asked Brandon where he was coming from tonight and he stated his girlfriend’s house, when asked where that was, he stated on Washington Street, but couldn’t provide me with a number. Brandon also kept saying that he pulled over right away after the accident and waited for the police arrival that took 20-30minutes and he even stated an hour at one point, but then committed to 30 minutes. I informed Brandon that the accident took place all the way at the end of the road (approximately 200 yards) and that the response time was not 30 minutes. I asked Brandon if he had consumed any alcohol tonight, which he denied to having any. During my conversation with Brandon, I observed him to be unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred; and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. I asked Brandon if he would be willing to perform field sobriety testing due to the suspicion of him being impaired, to which he agreed.

Prior to administering the test, Brandon was evaluated and medically cleared by Cataldo Ambulance. I also asked if he had any medical conditions that would effect him from performing these tests, which he denied any. The test was administered in the driveway of 49 Myrtle Street, on a well-lighted, flat, non-slippery surface.

HGN:
During this test, when attempting the three parts, Brandon followed the tip of my pen numerous times with his head instead of his eyes even after he was told to keep his head still and only follow the tip of the pen with his eyes.

Walk and Turn test:
I instructed Brandon to place his right foot on an imaginary line and put his left foot in front of it, with his left heel touching his right toe and keep his hands by his side, then take nine heel-to-toe steps on the line, turn around keeping one foot on the line, and return nine heel-to-toe steps.

During the instructional phase, Brandon started off with his left heel not touching his right toe and even after instructed to do so, took two eleven steps, raised his arms to maintain balance, and made an exaggerated turn. He then took twelve steps back and raised his arms to maintain balance.

One Leg Stand:
I instructed Brandon to stand with his heels together and arms by his side, and raise one leg approximately six inches off the ground, foot parallel to the ground, keep both legs straight and keep eyes on the elevated foot, and while holding that position to count out loud; one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three, and so forth until told to stop.

While standing on his left foot, Brandon raised his right foot for a short period of time and put it down, he swayed, and raised his arms for balance. He raised his right foot again for a short period of time and put it down again. He then raised his left foot and held it for a short period of time before also putting it down.

Based on my observations, I placed Brandon under arrest for OUI Liquor. He was transported to the Somerville Police Headquarters via unit 200, operated by Officer Radochia, and booked by Sergeant Marino.

During the booking process, Sgt. Marino advised Brandon of his rights, and asked him to submit to a chemical test of his breath to which he agreed. Officer Radochia administered the test to Brandon, but he was unable to successfully complete it.

Once back at the station, I was able to speak with an additional witness via phone, XXXX, who stated the following; he was behind XXXX Nissan Rogue. He observed the defendants vehicle in the distance apparently rev his engine and then collided with XXXX vehicle. He stated that the defendant then immediately attempted to flee up Myrtle Street before finally coming to rest in front of 49 Myrtle Street. He observed the defendant attempt to exit the vehicle, but told him to stay inside until the police arrived.

Brandon is being charged with;

M.G.L c90 / §24 OUI Liquor
M.G.L c90 / §24 (2) Reckless Operation
M.G.L c90 / §24 (2)(a) Leaving the scene of personal injury

Respectfully submitted,
Officer David Ruf #334
Somerville Police Department