A Rhode Island man is facing multiple charges in connection with separate crashes in Blackstone, Massachusetts, late Tuesday night.
William Halfelder, 59, of Woonsocket, is facing charges operating under the influence of drugs, operating under the influence of liquor (fourth offense), leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop, and failure to drive in the right lane.
Blackstone police said officers were called to the area of 97 Main St. at about 9:45 p.m. for a report of a crash.
When officers arrived, Halfelder was outside of his Dodge van, bleeding from his nose and head.
Police determined that Halfelder had been administered the overdose-reversing drug Narcan. He was taken to Milford Hospital, where his exact condition is unclear.
Witnesses at the scene told police Halfelder had been driving down Main Street while allegedly swerving. When he got to the intersection of Main and St. Paul streets, he allegedly struck a vehicle from behind that was stopped at a red light.
Halfelder then allegedly drove around the vehicle he struck, continued through a red light and drove in the opposite lane of travel.
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A short distance later, police said he struck another vehicle head-on, pushing it into a driveway.
The driver of that vehicle was also taken to a local hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
A further investigation revealed that Halfelder allegedly struck other vehicles in nearby Woonsocket before entering Blackstone.
The crashes remain under investigation.
Halfelder was issued a summons to appear in court for arraignment at a later date. It's unclear if he has an attorney.
