SPRINGFIELD — Police on Wednesday apprehended a man wearing nothing but socks after the suspect allegedly caused a crash and then stripped nearly naked on the roadway before fleeing the scene.

Jose L. Monge

The man told police he had borrowed painkillers from a neighbor to help alleviate shoulder pain, and that the drugs made him "act crazy," police said.

Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet, said that according to witness reports the incident began when the man was spotted doing "donuts" in a car at the corner of West and Avocado streets early Wednesday afternoon. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tractor trailer at the corner of West and Avocado streets.

The suspect -- identified as Jose L. Monge, 35, of 50 Washburn St. in Springfield -- allegedly then got out of his car and ran around the intersection while taking off his clothes and shoes. Once he was down to his socks, witnesses said, he took off down nearby Plainfield Street, where he was spotted by an off-duty officer working a road detail.

The officer called for assistance and gave chase, Delaney said. Responding officers spotted Monge a short time later in the vicinity of the incident, having donned a pair of shorts and a jacket to accompany his socks.

Monge was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and operating under the influence of drugs. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court.