Norton Police Officer On Leave After Allegedly Driving Drunk, Leaving The Scene Of A Crash

NORTON (CBS) -- A Norton Police officer was placed on administrative leave after he was accused of driving drunk and leaving the scene of a crash over the weekend. Thirty-one-year-old Joshua Archer is facing several charges.

At 1 a.m. on Saturday, Norton police were called to the intersection of West Main Street and Taunton Avenue for a car crash. Responding officers were told by the driver of a Nissan Maxima that they were involved in a crash with a Dodge Durango, but the Durango drove off after speaking with her.

Police found the Durango on Taunton Avenue and identified Archer as the driver.

Investigators believe Archer was taking a right on Taunton Avenue from West Main Street when he sideswiped the Nissan which was stopped at the traffic light on Taunton Avenue.

Archer was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury.

"The officer who arrived could detect a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the passenger side of this Dodge Durango. Mr. Archer did appear to be unsteady when he was asked and complied with the officer to step out of the vehicle. He did state to police that he was drinking earlier," a prosecutor told an Attleboro District Court judge midday on Monday.

Archer was not initially present at his arraignment so the judge issued a warrant for his arrest. According to a defense attorney, Archer had checked himself into a treatment faculty. He was arraigned later on Monday.

Archer has been a patrol officer in Norton for eight years.

The woman driving the Nissan was taken to Morton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Archer was not hurt.