TURNERS FALLS — Police arrested a man who crashed his car on the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge Monday afternoon, causing the bridge to be temporarily closed.

According to Turners Falls Fire Captain Michael Currie, emergency personnel responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash at around 1:28 p.m. The driver, who was the vehicle’s sole occupant, sustained no apparent injuries, but appeared impaired.

Montague Police Officer Justin Moody, who transported the driver from the scene after his arrest, declined to comment as the incident is under investigation.

Responding agencies included the Turners Falls Fire Department, American Medical Response (AMR), and both Turners Falls and Gill police departments. Currie said emergency personnel believe the driver swerved while headed from Turners Falls to Gill, hitting the guardrails along both lanes.

The driver was out of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived, according to Currie. He said despite the black Nissan Altima sustaining “heavy damage” to its front end and having its airbags deploy, the driver had “no significant injuries.”

“He was evaluated and declined medical treatment,” Currie noted.

The roadway received some damage due to the vehicle traveling on the rims of its wheels following impact, he added.

After being arrested and helped into Moody’s cruiser, the driver was observed crying, asking, “What’s going on? What happened?” A woman, confirmed by Moody to be a relative, informed him that he was heavily intoxicated and that he crashed his car.

The bridge was closed to traffic for around half an hour, reopening to alternating traffic just before 2 p.m. Gill Police Sgt. Jason Bassett directed traffic until the car was towed away shortly after 2 p.m.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

]]>