AMESBURY — An Amesbury man was arrested early Sunday morning after a police chase from Merrimac that ended when his car reportedly hit a telephone pole near 113 Haverhill Road.
Paul J. Cote Jr., 33, of 115 Haverhill Road, was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol (second offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, marked lanes and failure to stop for police.
The residents of 113 Haverhill Road said the vehicle landed on their lawn, just feet from their home.
"Fortunately, he was about 10-15 feet from landing in our living room where my husband was still awake," Janelle Reagan said in an e-mail.
The accident knocked out power for nearly 20 minutes, she said.
According to Merrimac police Sgt. Eric Shears, officer Jonathan Morrill was parked on East Main Street at 12:27 a.m. when he saw Cote's vehicle traveling east at an estimated speed of 60-65 mph in a 40-mph zone. Morrill attempted to pull the car over, but it sped off and was soon out of sight, Shears said. The officer then saw a blue flash in the sky and found the car had hit a pole.
Cote was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was placed under arrest. Shears said he did not know whether Cote was hospitalized or treated and released.
The investigation is continuing, Shears said.
