Repeat accused southeastern Massachusetts drunk driver arrested on firearm, other charges, after hit-and-run crash

Police in Massachusetts arrested a southeastern Massachusetts man Friday evening on multiple charges, including firearms violations, following a hit-and-run crash.

According to Deputy Chief Michael Jenkins, on Friday, just before 9:00 p.m., East Bridgewater Police responded to the area of Washington and Pond Streets for a report of a hit-and-run crash. Upon arrival, officers observed a parked vehicle with heavy damage to its rear left side. Through an on-scene investigation, officers learned that several people outside nearby heard a loud crash followed by the sound of tires screeching as the suspect’s vehicle fled the scene.

A preliminary investigation allowed officers to determine that the vehicle had been traveling southbound on Washington Street at the time of the crash, and officers recovered a passenger-side mirror that detached from the suspect’s vehicle.

The Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene to support the investigation. As the investigation continued, a Honda Pilot traveled by the scene going northbound at a high rate of speed. The same vehicle abruptly pulled into a nearby parking lot, then reentered Washington Street heading southbound — again passing the scene at a high rate of speed.

An officer subsequently began pursuing the Pilot and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, prompting the pilot to increase its speed. The vehicle’s speed was estimated at 60 mph in a 35 mph zone.

East Bridgewater police followed the vehicle onto Plymouth Street and into the parking lot of 1355 Plymouth St., where it came to a stop. Police made contact with the driver, who was identified as 28-year-old Kyle Campbell, and observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from his mouth.

A second officer observed that a GMC Sierra parked next to the vehicle Campbell was driving when he was stopped had significant fresh front-end damage, including a missing passenger side mirror. Officers determined that Campbell was allegedly the registered owner of the truck, and that the Pilot he had been driving before being stopped belonged to a family member. The keys to the damaged truck were allegedly in Campbell’s possession.

A subsequent search of the truck allegedly yielded an unsecured handgun inside, and Campbell took and failed multiple field sobriety tests, showing signs of impairment.

Campbell was taken into custody without incident, and a subsequent investigation — including a search inside his nearby home following the consent of another resident to do so. Police ultimately seized a Smith & Wesson 6906 handgun found inside his truck and two magazines, an unsecured Ruger SR22 handgun and two magazines found inside his home, where multiple children also reside, as well as his license to carry.

Both vehicles were subsequently towed from the scene.

Campbell was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (Second Offense), Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash, Move Over Law Violation, Marked Lanes Violation, Intoxicated Licensee Carrying a Firearm, Leaving a Firearm in a Vehicle, Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm, Improper Storage of a Firearm, Speeding, and Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device.

Campbell was later released on his own recognizance and $40 cash bail. He is due to be arraigned in Brockton District Court at a later date.