A 30-year-old Ludlow man faces multiple charges after police say he drove drunk, fled officers and crashed into an occupied apartment building, forcing residents from their homes. No one was hurt in the crash, but police allege that the arrest was combative: the driver bit a firefighter and spit at an officer.
The incident began at about 12:58 a.m. Wednesday, when a caller reported a driver asleep at the wheel at a stop sign at Sewall and Howard streets, according to MassLive. Police identified the driver as Carlos Landaverde Jr. of Ludlow.
Police approached the vehicle, but the driver took off, MassLive reported. Officers pursued briefly, then stopped the pursuit because of the dangerous speeds.
Crash Displaces Residents at 95 Winsor Street
The car crashed into an occupied apartment building at 95 Winsor St., according to MassLive. The collision caused no injuries, but damage to the building forced residents out of their homes.
Landaverde was taken to a hospital for injuries and later booked at the Police Department, MassLive reported.
Firefighter Bitten, Officer Spit On During Arrest
Police allege that Landaverde bit a firefighter and spit at an officer during his arrest, according to MassLive. The reported conduct is among the allegations reflected in the charges against him.
Landaverde faces charges including operating under the influence of alcohol, assault and battery on a police officer, three counts of resisting arrest, assault and battery on a public employee, vandalism and reckless operation of a motor vehicle, as well as other moving violations, MassLive reported.
Impaired Driving in Massachusetts
Statewide figures show that alcohol-impaired driving remains a significant part of the traffic-safety picture. WWLP-22News reported that alcohol-impaired-driving deaths in Massachusetts fell by 11% from 2023 to 2024, but still accounted for over a quarter of the state’s total traffic deaths in 2024.
Landaverde was scheduled to be arraigned in Palmer District Court on Thursday, according to MassLive. No later information about the arraignment or the disposition of the charges was available at the time of reporting.
