New Bedford Police: Drunk Driver Hits Two Vehicles, Slams Head Against Windshield

NEW BEDFORD - Police have charged a city man they say was drunk when he hit two cars with his vehicle Monday afternoon.

New Bedford Police responded to 289 MacArthur Drive at 4:16 p.m. Monday to a report of a hit and run accident in which a driver struck a parked vehicle, causing damage to the rear bumper, and then sped north on Acushnet Avenue.

Police were soon called to another accident report regarding the same suspect vehicle, which struck a sign post and sideswiped a vehicle at Logan Street and Acushnet Avenue.

The vehicle in question was stopped at Kilburn Street near Belleville Avenue.

Investigating officers determined the driver, 29-year-old Benjamin DeSousa of New Bedford, was under the influence of alcohol.

DeSousa was transported to St. Luke's Hospital after he apparently struck his head against the windshield during one of the accidents.

DeSousa is being charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

An immediate threat of license revocation was submitted to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.