LYNN — A Revere man was arrested after police said he crashed his car while intoxicated on Monday night. Police said he left the scene and lit the vehicle on fire, leaving a police officer injured.
Mark Thomas, 41, was charged with OUI liquor, cocaine possession, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, leaving the scene of property damage, possession of an infernal machine, burning a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle with a revoked license as a habitual traffic offender, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Thomas reportedly crashed his car into a street sign and curb at Linton Road and Western Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. He was under the influence of liquor at the time and fled the scene in his car, but left behind his front bumper and license plate, Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said.
Numerous witnesses were able to point police in the direction Thomas went, and officers found the car in the area of Columbia Avenue and Empire Street, where Thomas was trying to set it on fire, Kmiec said.
Police said they saw Thomas lighting a rag with a lighter and stuffing it into the car’s gas tank. Two officers struggled with Thomas when he didn’t comply with their commands to step away from the car, which became fully engulfed in flames, Kmiec said.
Officers struggled on the ground with Thomas to place him under arrest about 30 feet from the car fire. Thomas and one of the officers had to be treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, Kmiec said.
Kmiec said Thomas also had a knife on him, and during the booking process, a small amount of cocaine was found in his wallet.
