A Melrose, Massachusetts man is facing his 7th drunken driving charge after his arrest on Friday night.
State police said they received a call around 6:22 p.m. Friday from a Massachusetts Department of Transportation help van driver who needed assistance with the driver of a vehicle on Route 1 north in Peabody.
Upon arrival, state police found the help van with a 2019 GMC Terrain that was stationary in the travel lane. The driver was identified as Robert H. Cook, 67, of Melrose, though he originally gave police a different name. After a brief investigation, he was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol. Subsequent checks showed that Cook's driver's license was revoked for several prior drunken driving convictions.
He was charged with OUI liquor, 7th offense; OUI while license suspended for OUI; operating a motor vehicle while license suspended as a habitual offender; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, subsequent offense; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; motor vehicle operator refusing to identify self; arrestee furnishing false name/Social Security number; and failure to use care in starting/stopping/turning/backing. He is scheduled to appear in Peabody District Court on Thursday morning.
No further information was immediately available.
