Brendan Murphy
Yarmouth Police/CWN
YARMOUTH – From Yarmouth Police: On Sunday, January 13, 2019, at approximately 8:31 PM, a concerned citizen called the Yarmouth Police Department Emergency 911 Dispatch Center reporting a gray truck that was all over the road and stopping in the middle of Route 28. The citizen also observed the vehicle pull into Salvation Army Store parking lot and was attempting to re-enter traffic on Route 28.
Yarmouth Patrol Officer Alex Xiarhos arrived and observed a tan SUV truck attempting to enter traffic on Route 28. The SUV then took a left turn onto Route 28 heading eastbound. The SUV failed to use care while turning and struck a blue Chevy Avalanche that was traveling eastbound. The blue Chevy went up and over the curb when it was struck.
Officer Xiarhos activated his cruiser emergency blue lights and siren and tried to stop the SUV bearing Florida 285QZM but the vehicle did not stop and continued eastbound on Route 28 at approximately 20 MPH.
Patrol Officers Conor Burnham and Ryan Brule arrived in the area and radioed dispatch that the vehicle finally came to a stop with the front right tire resting on the curb, approximately 1/5 of a mile down the road.
The operator was identified as Brendan Murphy, 50, of South Yarmouth,. He stated he was unaware that he struck another vehicle or that the police were trying to stop him.
Murphy smelled of alcoholic beverage and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. His speech was slurred and mumbled.
Murphy exited the vehicle and was given a series of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After failing, he became angry and aggressive. He refused verbal commands and threatened the Police Officers who feared they were going to be struck or pushed into oncoming traffic as he came towards them.
He was stopped and taken to the ground which caused minor cuts and bruises to his face.
Murphy was placed under arrest on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, operating to endanger, failing to use care in turning and assault. He denied the offer of medical treatment and was transported to Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters.
Upon arrival at Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters, Murphy operator was processed and held overnight and was due to be arraigned Monday in the Barnstable District Court.
