Saugus man indicted on 5th DUI charge

SALEM – A Saugus man accused of driving drunk for his fifth time was one of two men indicted Wednesday afternoon by an Essex County grand jury.Craig Nelson, 48, of 14 Cliff St., faces charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, fifth offense, and leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage.He was arrested on the night of Aug. 31 in Saugus after an accident on Denver Street when he reportedly struck a tree while driving a 2005 Cadillac sedan.When police responded to the scene, Nelson was seen walking away from the vehicle.Police said they smelled a strong odor of alcohol on him, his eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet.Nelson has prior drunk driving offenses dating back to 1984.Assistant District Attorney John Brennan is prosecuting the case for the commonwealth.Also indicted: Joel Salvatore, 37, of 22 Cleek Court, North Reading, is charged with insurance fraud after allegedly filing a false claim to Safety Insurance in Peabody on Nov. 3, 2006 stemming from an accident in North Reading involving damage to a leased 2005 Cadillac he was driving. After authorities conducted an investigation, it was determined the vehicle had no damage and the claim was false.Salvatore faces up to five years in prison, if convicted.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose is assigned to prosecute the case.