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Wicked Local Brookline
Posted Aug 19, 2010 @ 06:04 PM
Brookline ²

An Ashland woman was arrested Brookline after she was seen driving into a median,
damaging signs and bushes in front of the Washington Street fire station before driving away
from the scene with a bush still attached to her vehicle.

Michelle Nicolas, 22, of 10 Mountain View Dr., Ashland, was issued a uniformed citation
for charges of operating under the influence of alcohol; operating under the influence of drugs;
leaving the scene of an accident; operating to endanger; operating recklessly; and failure to stay
in marked lanes, and leaving the scene of an accident with town property damage around 3 a.m.
on Aug. 18, police said.

She was also issued a town by-law violation citation for possession of less than one ounce of
marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

According to reports, police responded to 140 Washington St. after a witness reported seeing
a motor vehicle, describe as a four door sedan, strike a median, hit a sign and bushes on
Washington Street in front of the Route 9, Station 1, Fire Station before heading in the direction
of Boston.

Officers reportedly observed severe damage to several bushes in front of the address in
addition to a town of Brookline sign lying in the median several feet from its original position.
Officers also reported examining debris, which included what appeared to be the front, driver¶s
side wheel well of a grey motor vehicle.

While searching the area of Brookline Avenue and Washington Street, police reported
seeing a grey motor vehicle at the Gulf Gas Station, with a branch stuck beneath the vehicle,
which matched the witness¶ description. Officers approached the driver¶s side window after
determining Nicolas occupied it. She opened the door, unbuckled her seatbelt and began exiting
the car without being asked to do so. According to reports, she was ³advised´ to remain inside
the vehicle.

It was reported the vehicle had severe damage and a bush protruding from it. Although
police asked what happened to the vehicle, her response was redacted by police from the arrest
report. Nicolas then removed the keys from the ignition of the vehicle, placing them behind her
on the driver¶s seat. Police reportedly asked her again what happened, at which point she told
them she was driving home from work, which officers noted Ashland is in the opposite direction
of Brookline.

Nicolas reportedly denied having had any alcoholic beverages after she got off of work at
12:30 a.m. and agreed to participate in field sobriety testing. She was unable to follow
instructions, stand on one leg for 30 seconds, lost her balance during the nine-step walk and turn
test and could not recite the English Alphabet from F to Y without singing.

Nicolas was then arrested for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an
accident with damage to town property. While conducting inventory to a police tow, officers
allegedly detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the center of the motor
vehicle¶s interior. Upon opening the console, police reportedly observed a small, multi colored
glass pipe along with the remainder of a burnt marijuana cigarette.

According to reports, police opened the center console and found a small plastic bag
containing a ³green leafy substance,´ which police believed was marijuana, as well as used
³blunt wrappers´ and rolling papers.

Due to the vehicle¶s rate of travel, police reportedly added charges of operating to endanger
and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Nicolas allegedly blew a .22 blood alcohol level
reading during a Breathalyzer test and was in possession of two duplicate Massachusetts drivers
license. Police said they confiscated the licenses.

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