Trooper arrested in Boston for OUI was allegedly ‘slumped’ at the wheel with High Noon in cupholder

A Massachusetts State Police trooper was arrested on a drunk driving charge Sunday after he was allegedly found “slumped over” behind the wheel with an open container of High Noon in his cupholder. 

Donovan Preston, 31, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor after Boston police found him sitting in the black BMW in the middle of Herald Street in the South End shortly after 5 a.m., according to a police report. 

Preston’s eyes were closed, according to the report, and the car was running and in drive. Police said an officer knocked on the window to rouse Preston, who appeared confused. He allegedly struggled to put the vehicle in park as instructed, and the officer helped him shift gears through the window. 

According to the police report, Preston stumbled while getting out of the car and had “slurred speech, glossy eyes, and the odor of alcohol emitting from [his] breath.” The officer offered to call emergency medical services for Preston, but he reportedly declined.

Preston allegedly denied having anything to drink and maintained he had not passed out. The trooper was “uncooperative with officers and did not want to answer most questions,” the police report states. “The officer attempted to conduct a field sobriety test multiple times, to which [Preston] did not reply.”

When the officer finally administered the field sobriety test, Preston allegedly struggled.

Boston police arrested the trooper, seized his driver’s license, and had his car towed, according to the report. The half-full can of High Noon, a vodka-based hard seltzer, was logged into evidence. 

Preston pleaded not guilty Monday to one count of operating under the influence and an open container violation. He was released on personal recognizance. His defense attorney, Ben Megrian, declined to comment.

State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. However, agency spokesperson Timothy McGuirk told The Boston Globe Preston has been suspended and will face internal discipline as the criminal case proceeds.

Preston is due back in court May 13.

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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