Dartmouth Police responded to two separate car accidents caused by intoxicated drivers crashing into utility poles on Sunday, April 5.

Nathan Miller, an 18-year-old Becket resident, was found by officers at the scene early Sunday morning following reports of a Toyota Rav 4 crashing into a utility pole near 178 Westport Road. 

He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence and a marked lanes violation.

Miller suffered minor injuries and was sent to a local hospital.

Officers were dispatched to another crash less than an hour later, where they arrested 24-year-old Dartmouth resident Jake Morgado after he slammed his Ford Fusion into a utility pole at the corner of Bakerville Road and Beechwood Drive, causing the pole to break in half.

Morgado admitted to officers that he was intoxicated and was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation.

“The Dartmouth Police Department would like to remind everyone that driving while intoxicated is against the law and an offense we take very seriously,” said Chief of Police Brian Levesque. “While thankfully, no one was seriously injured in either of these incidents, let this be a powerful reminder that not only is this activity illegal, but it can cause a life to shatter in an instant.”

Eversource Electric responded to the crashes and worked to repair the utility poles.