Tewksbury police officer on leave after OUI charge

TEWKSBURY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 19-year veteran on the Tewksbury police force has been placed on paid leave after pleading not guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Prosecutors allege that on Thursday night, Sgt. Timothy Kelly, 48, hit a parked car on Staples Street in Lowell, then fled the scene, stopping a few blocks up the street with heavy damage to his SUV, the airbags deployed.

When Lowell police officers talked to Kelly, they stated that they smelled alcohol and noted that his speech was slurred.

According to court documents, Kelly allegedly said he fell asleep behind the wheel and hit a parked car.

Tuesday afternoon, the Tewksbury police chief was unavailable for comment.

Cox Media Group