April 3, 2008 Man faces charges after rupturing gas line in crash

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) - A Haverhill man faces charges after crashing his pick-up into a bakery, rupturing a natural gas line and forcing the temporary evacuation of a four-block area of downtown Lawrence.

Police say the truck slammed into the side of the Essex Street bakery at about 9 p.m. Wednesday after Luke Giovannetti failed to make a left-hand turn.

Utility officials detected dangerously high gas levels after the crash, prompting the evacuation. Deputy Police Chief Mike Driscoll says the readings indicated enough gas to cause a possible explosion.

Electricity to the area was also cut for about 30 minutes.

Giovannetti was expected to be arraigned Thursday on charges on operating under the influence of drugs and possession of marijuana. --- Information from: Eagle Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)