Massachusetts

Suspected OUI Driver Crashes Into Fire Hydrant, Causing Sink Hole in Wrentham

A man driving a van early Wednesday morning crashed into a fire hydrant after crossing the center line and going off the road.

The accident happened on Dedham Street in Wrentham, Massachusetts around midnight.

The driver of the van has been identified as 54-year-old Joseph White.

Police say he left the scene but was later located and arrested for OUI liquor.

The crash caused the fire hydrant to erupt, spraying water high into the air, which resulted in road flooding. That caused structural damage to the southbound lane, as a large sink hole could be seen from SkyRanger video.

Route 1A (Dedham Street) had been closed in both directions between Winter Street and Route 140, Wrentham Center, but the northbound side has since been reopened. Detours are also in place.

MassDOT has crews on scene and they hope to open one lane of travel by about 8:00 a.m. to alternately let traffic through.

Crews have to check the integrity of the road because the water break may have affected road pavement condition.

White will be arraigned at Wrentham District Court Wednesday. It's not immediately clear if he has an attorney.

The accident remains under investigation.

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