For Immediate Release

Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Newburyport Police Officer Injured After Cruiser Struck by Allegedly Drunk Driver

NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray reports that the Newburyport Police Department arrested a man on multiple charges after he crashed into a police cruiser just after midnight.

JEREMIAH GARRETT-LEVINE, AGE 28, OF ATTLEBORO, is charged with:

• Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Speeding
• Failing to Yield at an Intersection

At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, a Newburyport police officer responded to the rotary in the area of Spofford and Merrimack Streets for reports of a crash involving a police cruiser. Upon arrival, the officer observed a black sedan with heavy front end damage and a police cruiser with heavy damage to its passenger side.

Sgt. William Steeves stated that, as he was exiting the rotary onto Merrimack Street, he observed a black sedan, operated by GARRETT-LEVINE, was speeding down Mosley Avenue towards the rotary. GARRETT-LEVINE, who was allegedly looking at a GPS on his cell phone, failed to yield when entering the roadway, struck the cruiser on its passenger side.

After an initial investigation, Newburyport Police determined that GARRETT-LEVINE was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him.

Sgt. Steeves was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released.

GARRETT-LEVINE will be arraigned at Newburyport District Court tomorrow at 9 a.m.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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