Mass. state rep. facing DUI charge after alleged hit-and-run in Boston

A Massachusetts state rep is facing a drunken driving charge after police say he sideswiped a parked van in Boston and kept going early Wednesday morning Rep John Lawn a Democrat from Watertown is accused of slamming into a parked truck across the street from the State House and driving off leading to his arrest A witness commented he heard a commotion outside his window just before a m and noticed the damaged vehicles I saw whoever it was backing in and out trying to like unstick from the car Walter Thilly announced A police summary says another witness followed the SUV around the block and flagged down a police officer The officer stopped the carriage and identified the driver as Lawn noting in the account that the representative smelled of alcohol had glassy eyes slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet After an review he was arrested on charges of operating a motor bus while under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage Lawn was elected to the State House in and explained in a declaration I deeply regret and take full responsibility for my actions What happened was thoroughly unacceptable I make no excuses In a message House Speaker Ronald Mariano disclosed Representative Lawn has informed me he takes full responsibility for this egregious lapse in judgement and that he will work to ensure that something like this does not happen again Gov Maura Healey also addressed the circumstance saying Obviously you know there s no tolerance for driving under the influence He is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Boston Municipal Court