Raynham Police Charge Man with 5th OUI Offense Following Crash

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan reports that the Raynham Police Department arrested and charged a man with his fifth OUI after he allegedly caused a crash while driving drunk Thursday afternoon.

PETER TRUDEAU, AGE 57, OF RAYNHAM was charged with:

OUI Liquor (Fifth Offense)
Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury (Two Counts)
OUI Liquor Causing Serious Injury
Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Operation of a Motor Vehicle After License Revocation While Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Use Without Authority

At approximately 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Raynham Police responded to New State Highway (Route 44) near the Route 24 North on-ramp for a report of a three-car crash.

Upon arrival, officers located a Chrysler Sebring and a Nissan Sentra, both of which had rear-end damage. The driver of the Chrysler, Benvida Fall, age 83, of Taunton and the driver of the Nissan, Grace Levinson, age 67, of Fall River were both injured. They were taken by ambulance to Morton Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

A witness told police that a third vehicle that caused the crash left the scene. The witness also reported that the driver of a black Ford Taurus, later identified as TRUDEAU, struck the Nissan from behind and caused the Nissan to collide with the Chrysler.

TRUDEAU allegedly got out of the Ford Taurus and went up to the other vehicles before subsequently fleeing.

The witness was able to get the license plate of the Ford Taurus and a description of TRUDEAU and gave it to police.

Officers then went to a home on Church Street where the vehicle was registered and found the crashed Ford Taurus in the driveway.

TRUDEAU was also found to be at the home. Through the subsequent investigation, it was determined that TRUDEAU was drunk and that he had been driving the vehicle. He was arrest without further incident. He declined medical attention and was taken to the Raynham Police Department for booking.

TRUDEAU was held on $20,000 bail pending his arraignment today in Taunton District Court.

The Ford Taurus belongs to a woman that TRUDEAU was living with and he did not have permission to be driving the vehicle. In 2006, TRUDEAU received a lifetime revocation of his license by the Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles following his fourth OUI offense.

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

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