Wellesley Police Dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call just after 3am on Monday August 31, 2020 about a vehicle driving the wrong way on Route 9 (Worcester St). The caller informed Wellesley dispatchers that she was travelling east on Route 9 approaching Mulherin Lane when she nearly collided with an unknown sedan that was traveling west on the eastbound side of the divided highway.
After receiving the call Wellesley dispatcher’s broadcast to the units on patrol who staged at various locations on Route 9. Officer Mark Knapp was stationed in front of the Wellesley Fire Department Headquarters on Route 9 when he observed a sedan traveling east on the westbound side of Route 9. Officer Knapp immediately activated his cruisers emergency blue lights and entered Route 9 on the eastbound side to go after the vehicle. At the same time Officer Tim Dennehy, with his emergency blue lights activated, was traveling west on the westbound side of Route 9 passing Oakland St.
Officer Dennehy came face to face with the wrong way driver on Route 9 between Oakland Street and Washington Street. Officer Dennehy was able to stop the wrong way driver without crashing or causing any injuries.
Once the driver was safely stopped, the officers spoke with the 20-year-old driver of the wrong way vehicle. The driver was eventually placed under arrest for operating under the influence of liquor, following an investigation.
While this was going on Sgt. Mike Lemenager came upon a vehicle in the breakdown lane on Route 9 west near Kingsbury Street with substantial damage. The driver of that vehicle told Sgt. Lemenager he had to swerve to avoid a wrong way operator moments before, subsequently crashing into the guardrail. Fortunately, the victim in that crash was not injured.
Officer Mark Knapp, while inventorying the contents of the suspect’s vehicle prior to being towed, also located a quantity of what is believed to be narcotics inside the vehicle.
The suspect was arraigned in Dedham District Court on August 31 and charged with possessing Class B drug with intent to distribute, possessing a Class C drug with intent to distribute, possessing a Class D Drug with intent to distribute, as well as possession of Class B, C, and D drugs, operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and a wrong way violation.