Everett man faces fourth drunken-driving charge

LYNN – A judge ordered an Everett man held pending trial on a fourth drunken-driving offense after police allegedly found the man’s truck blocking the travel lane of Route 1 South and facing perpendicular to the traffic.Michael Abruzzese, 40, of 47 Tremont St., Everett, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, fourth offense; and a marked-lanes violation; at 11:22 p.m. Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday in Lynn District Court.State Police found Abruzzese’s truck Wednesday night perpendicular to traffic and blocking the travel lane on Route 1 South near the Walnut Street exit, according to a report by Trooper Joseph Flynn. The truck immediately accelerated, fish-tailed and then pulled over after noticing the trooper’s lights, and Abruzzese, the driver, told police he had lost control while on the highway on-ramp.But the trooper reported noting the defendant’s speech was “slow, deliberate and thick-tongued,” and Abruzzese allegedly said he had a couple pitchers of beer with his brother at Hooters, a restaurant on Route 1. Abruzzese said he planned to stay at his brother’s, but they argued and Abruzzese left, according to police.Police reported finding a six-pack of Yuengling, four of which were empty, inside the car after “unsuccessful” field-sobriety tests.At a dangerousness hearing Thursday, Essex Assistant District Attorney Justin Edwards – although noting Abruzzese’s most recent drunken-driving conviction was in 2001 – “fear(s) he’s fallen off the wagon.” Edwards requested the defendant be held pending trial.Court-appointed defense attorney Deborah McWade requested Abruzzese be released on conditions including that he have a breath tester in his home and wear a GPS monitor.”I take no pleasure here but the trooper reports he finds this truck perpendicular to direction of travel, blocking the traffic lane and this is his fourth OUI,” Lynn District Court Judge James LaMothe said. He ordered Abruzzese held and scheduled the defendant to return to court April 4.