Lynn man arrested for driving drunk without a license

LYNN – An unlicensed operator was arrested Wednesday night after an unbelievable drunken driving-related accident occurred on Western Avenue, according to police.Luis Mendoza, 30, of 17 West Baltimore St. #6, Lynn, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, unlicensed operation of a vehicle and a red light violation shortly before 11:30 p.m.Officer Steven Castle wrote in a police report that he responded to the minor accident after receiving “numerous calls” from witnesses, when he immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol on Mendoza’s breath.”In addition, it appeared as though he had just urinated on himself,” Castle wrote.An eyewitness told Castle she was driving on Western Avenue northbound near the General Electric Plant before the accident when Mendoza’s pickup truck came barreling past her on the left, on the wrong side of the double yellow line, according to a police report.She said Mendoza drove straight through a red light at the intersection of Minot Street and collided with another car causing minor damage, police said.Mendoza allegedly emerged from the car while holding a bottle of alcohol in his hand as shocked witnesses looked on.Castle wrote that Mendoza “horribly” failed several field sobriety tests.Police confiscated a 750 milliliter bottle of Kahlua from inside Mendoza’s vehicle that was about 60 percent empty, police said.Mendoza was arraigned Thursday in Lynn District Court, where Judge Stacey Fortes-White released him on personal recognizance and ordered him not to drive. He’s due back in court Aug. 5 for a pre-trial hearing.