Pembroke Man Charged With 4th OUI After Trying To Pass School Bus

PEMBROKE, MA — A man from Pembroke is being charged with his fourth drunk driving offense after police say he tried to pass a school bus while it was offloading children on Tuesday.

Paul Walsh, 49, of Pembroke is facing charges on OUI, (4th offense), open containers of alcohol and marijuana, operating to endanger, failure to stop for police, failure to stop for a school bus, marked lanes violation and leaving the scene of a crash.

At 3:36 p.m. on Tuesday, a sedan came up from behind a stopped school bus on Center Street at the intersection of Furnace Colony Drive while it offloaded children, Pembroke Police Officer Karl Gumpright said.

The sedan then crossed into the oncoming travel lane, passing several cars, officer Gumpright, and the school bus - which had its stop sign and flashing lights displayed.

Police say Gumpright caught up to the sedan, but the driver would not stop, causing a pursuit down several side streets.

The driver, identified as Walsh, continued down Monroe Street until eventually leaving the road and hitting a fire hydrant. Walsh attempted to leave the scene but was stopped by heavy snow.

Gumpright was able to take Walsh into custody without incident, police say.

Walsh is expected to be in court at a later date.