Massachusetts Man Arrested for Fifth DUI After Fatal Car Accident
Frederick J. Weller, a Massachusetts resident, is facing his fifth DUI charge, along with several other felony charges, after allegedly causing a five-car crash that led to the death of a 24-year-old woman.
The 35-year-old Weller, who is from Sandy Hook, Massachusetts, reportedly caused a massive traffic accident last week in Sheffield, Massachusetts, according to a recent report in The Berkshire Eagle. The accident left one woman dead and another driver has been hospitalized and is in serious condition.
Sources indicate that Weller, who has been arrested four previous times for driving under the influence of alcohol, is being held without bail in the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction.
Police often hold suspects without bail if they believe they are a risk for flight or have committed a serious enough offense that it warrants keeping them behind bars pending a trial.
Sources say that, during his initial arraignment in Central Berkshire District Court, Weller was “emotional” when the judge ordered that he be held without bail until he faces a “dangerousness hearing” next week in court.
If Weller fails to prove to the court that he is not a danger to others upon release, he may have a continued stay in jail until he has a chance to prove his innocence at trial.
In addition to his fifth DUI charge, which warrants a serious felony penalty itself, Weller is also facing charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and intimidating a witness.
According to the police report, Weller allegedly left his vehicle after the accident and threatened two witnesses before he left the scene on foot. When he exited his car, witnesses claim that Weller appeared injured and bloodied.
While Weller has a long history of drunk driving offenses, he also apparently has a lengthy criminal record for other offenses, as well.
Sources say Weller was arrested in August 2011 at his home in connection with a complaint about potential larceny. He was also charged with threatening a witness after a DUI accident in 2005.
For his actions, Weller could be facing a lengthy prison sentence and a hefty fine. Judges are often less lenient with multiple DUI offenders, and the addition of a fatality into the DUI accident raises plenty of alarms in a courtroom.
With his shaky record, and the sordid alleged details of the recent incident, Weller is likely facing a very lengthy prison term.
