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Driver crashes van into fire hydrant in Wrentham, arrested for OUI

WRENTHAM, Mass. — A man was arrested for crashing a van into a fire hydrant, causing it to erupt on Route 1A in Wrentham.

Wrentham Police tell Boston 25 News that 54-year-old Joseph White crashed into the fire hydrant before running away from the crash.

The water from the hydrant went as high as nearby homes, completely flooding the area and buckling part of the side of the road.

Police spent about two hours searching for White before he eventually became so cold, he came out of the woods. A field test came back with a .15 BAC level.

UPDATE: NB lane will be open at about 730. SB lane will remain closed and detoured. OUI ACCIDENT & ARREST Traffic Alert ! Seek Alternate Route! Rt. 1A (Dedham Street) is closed between Winter Street and Wrentham Center. The NB lane will be open at about 730, however; the SB lane will remain closed and detoured for most of the day. At about midnight last night, a van traveling north on Dedham Street crossed the center line and left the roadway, striking a fire hydrant resulting in road flooding and structural damage to the southbound lane. Operator of the van, Joseph White, age 54, of 3 Jean Rd. Walpole MA left the scene but was located and arrested for OUI Liquor. He will be arraigned at Wrentham District Court today. We will update on road repairs and reopening soon.

Posted by Wrentham Police Department on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

An officer twisted his knee while searching, but he will be OK.

White was arrested for OUI Liquor. He was released on $1,000 bail and will be formally arraigned Thursday.

Some of the water on Route 1A has frozen over - police treated the road with salt, but are asking drivers to use caution if they're traveling through the area.