New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Friday evening, at approximately 6:22 p.m., a MassDOT help van driver requested assistance with the driver of a vehicle on Route 1 northbound in Peabody, in the area of the jughandle traffic lights. Trooper James Maloney, of the State Police Barracks in Danvers, as well as Trooper Patrick Haynes, of the State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Section, responded to assist.
Upon arrival, Troopers Haynes and Maloney found the help van with a 2019 GMC Terrain stationary in the travel lane. The driver was subsequently identified as ROBERT H. COOK, 67, of Melrose, although had first given a different name for his identification. After conversation with COOK and a brief investigation, COOK was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol.
Subsequent checks revealed that COOK’s driver’s license was revoked for several prior OUI convictions.
COOK was charged with the following:
• OUI Liquor, 7th Offense
• OUI while license suspended for OUI
• Operate motor vehicle while license suspended as habitual traffic offender
• Operate motor vehicle with license suspended, subsequent offense
• Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
• Motor vehicle operator refuse to identify self
• Arrestee furnish false name/SSN
• Fail to use care in starting/stopping/turning/backing
COOK was subsequently transported to the House of Correction in Middleton for holding until bailed. COOK is scheduled to appear Thursday morning in Peabody District Court for the listed charges.
