crash_reports: 2100000445

On 6/18/21 at approximately 0119 hrs Sgt. Fleming, Officer L. Keefe, and I, Officer Mildner responded to Sumner St @ Willow St. (public ways in Newton) for a report of a single motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival I noticed MA Reg: 8SP545 up on the sidewalk, air bags deployed, with heavy front end damage from what appeared to be from crashing into a tree. The operator was identified as Saurabh Korgaonkar, who was being evaluated by the medics and signed a patient refusal. I spoke with Korgaonkar and asked him what happened. As I began speaking to Korgaonkar I noticed he a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. Korgaonkar stated he was driving home from Brookline somewhere in the area of Commonwealth Ave. and Washington St. I asked Korgaonkar where he was specifically coming from and he stated "Abbey". I asked Korgaonkar if he had anything to drink while he was there to which he stated "two drinks". It should be noted Korgaonkar was unsteady on his feet and seemed extremely confused about what just happened. Given the damage from the crash, my conversation with Korgaonkar, and Korgaonkar's current state, I asked him if he was willing to perform Field Sobriety Tests. Korgaonkar stated he was willing to take the tests. I asked Korgaonkar if he wears glasses or contacts to which he stated "no". I asked Korgaonkar if he had any medical conditions that would affect his ability to take the tests to which he stated "no". I asked Korgaonkar if he felt comfortable in the shoes he was wearing to which he stated "yes". I brought Korgaonkar over to a clear spot on the side of the road on the fog line where the area was illuminated by the street light and cruiser spotlight. There were no blue lights on the cruisers. I used a field sobriety card I carry with me on my person to explain and instruct the tests. The first test I administered to Korgaonkar was Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. I explained to Korgaonkar I was going to use a pen as the stimulus and to only follow it using his eyes only, not his head. Korgaonkar stated he understood the directions. The first attempt, Korgaonkar follow the pen using his head. I explained to Korgaonkar not to follow the pen using his head, but his eyes only. Korgaonkar stated he understood. The second attempt, Korgaonkar followed the pen using his head. I advised Korgaonkar again, to only use his eyes. On the third attempt, Korgaonkar followed the pen using his eyes only and I saw distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. The second test I administered was the 9 Step Walk and Turn. I demonstrated the test for Korgaonkar and instructed him on how to complete the test. I placed my left foot on the fog line and right foot, heal to toe in front of the left. I demonstrated three heal to toe steps on the line, counting out loud, and keeping my hands by my side. Korgaonkar was advised to take 9 heal to toe steps, and then turn around and complete 9 more heal to toe steps. Korgaonkar stated he understood. During the test Korgaonkar did not place his heal to toe on steps 3,4,5. Korgaonkar almost fell over on the fourth step. Korgaonkar did not count out loud his steps and was using his arms for balance. On Korgaonkar's return, he did not count out loud again, almost fell to the side on step 6, was using his arms for balance, and stopped the test on his own at step 7. The third test I administered was the one leg stand. I explained to Korgaonkar the instructions and demonstrated the test for him. Korgaonkar stated he understood. I placed my hands by my side, feet together, raised my right foot six inches while looking at my foot, and counted 1001, 1002, 1003. I asked Korgaonkar if he understood, and not to stop counting until I told him to. Korgaonkar stated he understood. On the first attempt, I told Korgaonkar to start and he didn't lift a foot off the ground. On the second attempt, Korgaonkar lifted his left leg off the ground two inches, was looking straight ahead, and was not pointing his left foot. I explained to Korgaonkar his foot needed to be six inches off the ground, pointed, while keeping his eyes on his foot. On the third attempt, Korgaonkar dropped his left foot on 1004 and lost his balance on 1012. I concluded the test at 1020 counts. Based on my observations and Korgaonkar's performance on the field sobriety tests, I concluded that Korgaonkar had been operating a motor under the influence of alcohol. Korgaonkar was handcuffed (DL), searched, and placed in the rear of 496 where he was seat belted. The prisoner compartment was checked prior to and after transportation to NPD. Korgaonkar was booked by Sgt. Fleming and processed by Officer Ka. Donahue in the normal fashion. During booking, Korgaonkar was read his rights and asked if he wanted to take a breathalyzer test. Korgaonkar refused the breathalyzer test. Korgaonkar was notified his license was suspended, and his MA drivers licensed seized. Officer L. Keefe stood by and waited for Tody's to arrive and tow away the vehicle. A towed MV form was filled out and placed in appropriate mailbox. Korgaonkar was charged with the following: MGL Ch. 90 Sec. 24/J OUI Alcohol (Korgaonkar crashed his vehicle and failed field sobriety tests) MGL Ch. 90 Sec. 24/E Negligent Operation of MV (Korgaonkar failed to operate his vehicle in a safe manner) MGL Ch. 89 Sec. 4/A Marked Lanes Violation (Korgaonkar crossed the fog line, went onto the sidewalk, and hit a tree) Photo's of scene sent to IT. A court packet was filled out with all pertinent information and placed in the court prosecutors mailbox.