A three-time convicted drunk driver allegedly drove into the front steps of a house while intoxicated and wearing a T-shirt that read “I have a drinking problem.”

James J. Johnson, 50, of 519 Quaddick Town Farm Road in Thompson, was ordered held today on $2,500 bail on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol (fourth offense), negligent operation and malicious destruction of property less than $250. Mr. Johnson was also cited for a marked lanes violation.



Dudley District Court Judge Neil G. Snider ordered Mr. Johnson to remain alcohol free with random testing and a pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 28.



A prosecutor requested $10,000 bail, in part, because the state could not impose a condition that Mr. Johnson wear an electronic monitor with a “sobrietor” device that insures he doesn't drink alcohol. That's because he resides in Connecticut.



About 9:30 p.m. last night all town emergency departments responded to a report that a Ford pickup struck a house at 159 Lower Gore Road, a police report said.

The truck was resting on the front steps, police said.



A group of people gathered outside after the accident, including homeowner Spencer P. Scully, who handed Officer James Young Jr. the suspect's truck key after police arrived.



“Luckily a couple of my neighbors came over,” Mr. Scully said in an interview. “They said they didn't know what was going to happen. Did this guy have a weapon? He wanted out of here. If he would have got the chance he would have been gone, and then what would have happened down the road?”



Authorities closed the road, the police report said.



Mr. Johnson, who was not injured, slurred his words, according to a police report. When asked what happened he said his dogs were running around inside his truck, causing him to lose control, police said.



The officer asked why his breath smelled of alcohol. Mr. Johnson denied he had been drinking and allegedly replied that his brother had been drinking.



Police said Mr. Johnson turned right onto Lower Gore Road, crossed the solid double yellow line, entered the property from Lakeside Avenue, “overcorrected” and re-entered Lower Gore Road.



When he overcorrected again his vehicle went onto the front lawn, police said.

During field sobriety tests, which Mr. Johnson failed, he stumbled several times, authorities said.



His blood-alcohol level was .175, more than twice the legal limit, police said.



An open beer can and a pipe “commonly used to smoke marijuana” were in the truck, the report said.



A witness said the beer can fell out when Mr. Johnson got out the pickup.



The animal control officer took possession of Mr. Johnson's dogs.



Mr. Johnson's previous drunk-driving convictions were in the 1980s, police said.



Mr. Scully said in the interview that his family didn't sleep last night and his wife and daughter cried thinking about what could have happened.



Mr. Johnson also “took out” a maple tree Mr. Scully and his two children planted about seven years ago. The steps are also smashed, he said.



“It would have been a lot worse if he didn't hit the steps,” Mr. Scully said. “If he didn't hit the steps he would have been right in the… living room.”



Mr. Scully said he and his wife often enjoy a beverage while sitting on the same steps that were destroyed. Sometimes he has a beer, he said.



“That's why I stay home (when I drink alcohol), and not to this extent,” Mr. Scully said. “That guy — he didn't even know his own name I don't think.