Eds: APNewsNow.

WOBURN, Mass. (AP) — A Medford police officer has been charged after allegedly driving drunk, causing an accident, fleeing the scene and then refusing to stop.

Shawn Norton, a 16-year veteran, was released on $100 after pleading not guilty Thursday.

Authorities say the 43-year-old Norton was arrested just after 11 p.m. Wednesday after Reading police received a report that a vehicle had been involved in a hit-and-run in Wilmington.

Officers spotted a vehicle with heavy front-end damage, but when they tried to stop it, the driver ignored emergency lights and made several turns before stopping in a school parking lot.


Norton was reportedly unsteady on his feet, had an odor of alcohol and had difficulty complying with officers’ commands.

He has been placed on administrative leave.

He had no comment outside court.