Eastie man pleads not guilty to alleged OUI accident – Post-Pops crash injured State Trooper

The East Boston man accused of driving drunk and running over a Massachusetts state trooper in Cambridge after the 4th of July concert and fireworks display on the Esplanade pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Cambridge District Court on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, third offense; operating under the influence of liquor causing serious bodily injury with negligence; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; marked lanes violation; and failure to obey a police officer.

Felix Morales, 30, of East Boston was ordered held on $10,000 bail at his arraignment and must refrain from use of alcohol, will undergo random alcohol screening and was forced to surrender his license.

Morales allegedly ran over Trooper Frank Hughes, a 24-year veteran and captain, while Hughes was directing traffic in Cambridge after the July 4th fireworks display in Boston.

Hughes was in the intersection of Monsignor O’Brien Highway and Land Boulevard in Cambridge when he was hit by Morales’ 1996 Nissan Maxima. Witnesses said Morales failed to stop for the trooper.

The impact of the crash threw Hughes onto the car’s hood, causing serious injuries. The trooper was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital underwent emergency treatment and was released.

He is now on injury leave from the force.

The incident was the second in which a Massachusetts state trooper was struck by a motor vehicle in performance of his duties with an East Boston resident being involved.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, July 4, Trooper Sean McGarry was sideswiped by a passing motor vehicle while he was out of his cruiser on a motor vehicle stop on Route 128 South in Peabody.

Trooper McGarry, 32, a five-year veteran, was transported to Lynn Union Hospital, where he was treated and released. State Police are searching for a gray or silver sedan with a missing passenger side mirror. The mirror was broken off when the car hit the trooper and is in MSP’s possession, where it will be subjected to forensic analysis in an attempt to learn more about the suspect vehicle.

The driver of the car initially stopped by State Police, Frank Imbruglia, 25, of East Boston, was arrested on motor vehicle charges, as well as for giving a false name to police and for three outstanding warrants, and is being held at the State Police Danvers Barracks.

It was while examining Imbruglia’s Infiniti G35 that Trooper McGarry was hit.

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