CHELSEA — Bail was set at $7,500 for a Malden man accused of drunk driving, seriously injuring two people, and leaving the scene of an accident early Wednesday morning.
Hector Jimenez-Valez, 19, was arraigned in Chelsea District Court on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a collision that caused an injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to Suffolk County District Attorney spokesman Jake Wark.
Chelsea Police, State Police, and the Chelsea Fire Department responded to the area of Maple Street and Everett Avenue for a serious car accident at about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday. Officers arrived to find a 2016 Toyota Corolla with rear end damage on the sidewalk and a 2012 Honda Civic with heavy front end damage in the middle of the roadway. A passenger, who was trapped in the front seat of the Civic, was suffering from a severe head injury and had to be removed from the heavily-damaged car. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The driver and sole occupant of the Corolla was found trapped and unconscious inside his car. He was freed and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
Witnesses provided police a description of the driver of the Civic, who ran away, and said he was speeding and ran a red light moments before the collision, according to Wark. Jimenez-Valez, who matched the description of the driver, was located by police a short distance away with blood on his shirt and cuts on his wrists, knees, and face, prosecutors said. He was unsteady on his feet and responding officers said they detected the odor of alcohol on him.
Jimenez-Valez was taken to CHA Everett Hospital, where he was treated and released into police custody. He is expected to return to court Aug. 22. Should he be released on bail, he is ordered to refrain from drinking alcohol or driving.
