Saugus man with 5 DUIs gets bail with special conditions

SALEM – A self-employed contractor from Saugus who was arrested for his fifth drunk-driving offense this summer has been deemed a danger, but a Superior Court judge found there are conditions for him to be released pending trial other than detention.Craig Nelson, 49, of 14 Cliff St., will be released within the next week on $4,000 cash bail with the condition he be confined to a sober house treatment center in Saugus for twenty-four hours a day. He must also wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet.It takes approximately a week to set up the monitoring devices, so in the meantime Nelson remains in custody.Assistant District Attorney John B. Brennan argued before Judge Howard J. Whitehead that he felt Nelson was a danger to the community and that no conditions of his release would ensure the safety of the community, given a record of drunk driving that dates back to 1984.He told Whitehead that when Nelson gets behind a wheel while under the influence, he could get into a serious accident, injuring someone or even causing their death.But defense lawyer Sharon Chaitin-Pollak convinced Whitehead to allow conditions of release pending trial, proposing the treatment facility with a bracelet monitoring program.In allowing Nelson to be released to the treatment program, Whitehead noted Nelson?s last drunk driving conviction was more than ten years ago in 1995 out of Malden District Court.Nelson was arrested on the night of Aug. 21 after an accident in Saugus on Denver Street when he slammed his 2005 Cadillac sedan into a tree.When police interviewed Nelson there apparently was a strong odor of alcohol on him, his eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet.Before police arrived at the scene, a witness saw Nelson walking away from the accident.Nelson plead not guilty earlier to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, fifth offense, and leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage.His next scheduled court appearance is set down for Feb. 15.