Grandmother Found Guilty in DUI Case

The grandmother charged with driving drunk while her 9-year-old grandson was in the back seat was found guilty today of second offense operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  The judge rendered his verdicts following a bench trial. 

Sharon Faulkner, 63, of 8 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, pleaded guilty Monday to operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and child endangerment while operating under the influence of alcohol. 

On the conviction for OUI second offense, Judge Paratore sentenced Faulkner to 2 ½ years in the House of Correction, six months to be served, the balance suspended for two years with supervised probation.

 As conditions of probation, the judge committed her to a 14-day in-patient treatment program, with aftercare as deemed necessary. He also ordered her to remain drug and alcohol free, and she is subject to random screens.  She is not allowed to drive while on probation, must pay any fines and fees imposed, and make any restitution, if applicable. In addition, a sobrieter will be installed at her residence. The sobrieter is a computerized machine that attaches to a home phone line, and can detect alcohol.

 On the charge of child endangerment while operating under the influence of alcohol, Faulkner was sentenced to 2 ½ years in the House of Correction, six months to be served, the balance to be suspended with probation for two years.  That sentence will be served after her jail sentence for the OUI second conviction. 

On the charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, the judge placed her on probation for two years upon her release from jail.      

 Faulkner was driving under the influence of alcohol when she struck a tree on Atlantic Avenue on the morning of March 18. Her grandson was in the car though  no one was seriously injured in the accident.

 Essex Assistant District Attorney Susan Dolhun prosecuted the case for the Commonwealth. Faulkner was represented by Attorney William Hernon.