Court docs: Lynn officer drunkenly swayed during questioning over alleged OUI

PEABODY, Mass. — Court documents revealed during his hearing shed light on the two-vehicle accident he is accused of causing early Sunday morning in Peabody.

A man driving a Honda Accord said he tried to pull out of the Workout World parking lot when he said his car was quickly overtaken by a Toyota Camry driven by James Shinnick.

The Honda driver explained to state troopers Shinnick told him he lost control and said, “[he] didn’t think there was anything else [he] could do” to avoid the collision.

MORE: Veteran Lynn officer arrested on OUI charge following crash 

Shinnick admitted he was leaving an event in Middleton where he had been drinking, according to the court documents.

The other driver was not injured, but the crash left significant front-end damage to the Honda, which slammed into a metal fence.

When troopers questioned Shinnick, they noted Shinnick’s eyes were red and glassy and he smelled of alcohol.

Troopers said Shinnick was swaying slightly from side to side as officers asked questions. 
Troopers began field sobriety tests, but said Shinnick did not feel they were good tests and testing ended there.

Shinnick declined a chemical sobriety test at the Danvers barracks and was stripped of his license.
Lynn police have said they're reviewing investigative reports before determining Shinnick's status with the department. He's been on administrative duty which will continue pending the result of their investigation.

He’s due back in court in December.

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