Whitman-Hanson's brand-new head football coach, Bradley Leal, is out of a job and facing criminal charges after a late-night traffic stop that police say uncovered both alleged drunk driving and a 15-month-old child left alone at home. Leal, who had only recently been hired to lead the Whitman-Hanson program, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence and reckless endangerment of a child. According to police, Leal told officers during the stop that his 15-month-old was home alone, prompting a wellness check. Officers later found the child asleep in a crib and released the child to family members.
As reported by Boston 25 News, a Braintree officer pulled Leal over just before midnight after he allegedly ran a red light at Union and Middle Streets and nearly hit two other vehicles. Officers said they smelled alcohol and noted that Leal's eyes appeared glassy. Police say Leal told them he had been at a restaurant in Weymouth and had "like three beers" before getting behind the wheel.
During the stop, Leal allegedly made several statements to officers, including, "I have a problem" and "I need to get home. My baby is home," according to Boston 25 News. He was arrested at the scene and later pleaded not guilty. His attorney declined to comment.
Leal's hire had been touted as a reset for the Whitman-Hanson football program. In April, he was announced as the Panthers' next head coach and described as a mathematics teacher in the Plymouth Public Schools who also coached boys' lacrosse on the South Shore, according to The Enterprise.
That fresh start did not last long. Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Superintendent John Marcus told Boston 25 News that Leal resigned from the head coaching job on June 14. The district, he said, cut off Leal's access to school systems and instructed him not to communicate with students or staff while officials conduct an internal review. The district has said it will share more once that review is complete.
Charges And Legal Stakes
Leal faces an operating-under-the-influence charge under the state motor-vehicle law and a separate count of reckless endangerment of a child.
Operating under the influence is set out in state law at Massachusetts Legislature, which allows for fines, license suspensions or revocations, and potential jail time, depending on prior offenses and case outcomes.
The reckless-endangerment charge stems from conduct that allegedly put a child at substantial risk of serious bodily injury. That offense is defined at Massachusetts Legislature and carries a possible sentence of up to two and a half years in a house of correction.
The case is still pending, and upcoming court dates have not yet been reported. Town and school officials say they will release information as records and hearings become public. We will update this story as new filings, court schedules, and official statements emerge.
