Serial drunken driver held without bail

SALEM – A Saugus man charged with driving drunk for the fifth time remains held at the Middleton Jail without bail, after pleading not guilty.In Salem Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, Craig Nelson, 49, of 14 Cliff St., entered his plea of not guilty to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, fifth offense, and leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage before Judge Howard J. Whitehead.Assistant District Attorney John B. Brennan filed a petition for a dangerousness hearing which Whitehead set for Dec. 27.In the meantime, Nelson remains held on a no bail status.On the night of Aug. 31, Nelson was arrested following an accident in Saugus on Denver Street when he apparently slammed into a tree while driving a 2005 dark Cadillac sedan.The vehicle reportedly had front end damage.A witness observed Nelson walking away from the accident prior to police arriving at the scene.Saugus police officer David Gecoya said that when he interviewed Nelson, he smelled a strong odor of alcohol on him, his eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet.Nelson has prior drunken driving offenses dating back to 1984.