WEST SPRINGFIELD — A Virginia man faces multiple charges including operating under the influence after police say he ran a red light and caused a serious crash Monday evening.
Officers responded to the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Union Street at approximately 7:42 p.m. for a two-car accident with injuries, according to West Springfield Police.
The driver of a Mazda sedan had to be extricated from his vehicle and was transported to Baystate Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Three witnesses told police that the driver of a Subaru Legacy ran the red light at a high rate of speed before striking the Mazda.
When officers approached the Subaru’s driver, they found him non-responsive to their questions as he talked on his cell phone.
Police observed the driver was unsteady on his feet and had very slurred speech while he continued to ignore officers.
The driver was identified as Wesley Mendez, 34, of Alexandria, Virginia.
Mendez was arrested and transported to the police department where he was booked on charges of OUI liquor resulting in serious injury, failure to stop for a red light, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and speeding.
