Judge refuses to revoke bail of suspected repeat drunk driver

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

NEW BEDFORD, M.A. – A suspected repeat drunk driver out on bail for recent OUI was arrested again last Saturday for another OUI; this time for driving the wrong way on I-195.

Authorities say around 1:40 a.m. on November 19, Massachusetts State Police received multiple alarming calls saying a man was driving east bound on Route 195 in the west bound travel lanes.

Police say once they caught up with the driver, they made numerous attempts to get his attention by activating their sirens and emergency lights.

However, the driver identified as Jowaun Gamble, 23, of Wareham M.A., continued to drive for approximately 17 miles in the wrong direction before forcing police to used stop strips to disable his vehicle.

During the 17 miles of known travel in the wrong direction, numerous drivers had to evade being struck head on by Gamble’s Nissan Altima.

Police say even after the stop strips resulted in four flat tires, Gamble continued to drive in the wrong direction for a short period of time before the wheels began sparking, finally bringing the car to a stop.

Gamble resisted arrest at the scene, and a breathalyzer test revealed Gamble’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit, registering at .22.

Gamble is charged with: OUI, resisting arrest, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and driving the wrong way.

According to authorities, at the time of his arrest, Gamble was out on bail from a recent OUI case from Brockton District Court.

At his arraignment on Monday, November 21, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Sylvia motioned to have Gamble’s bail revoked; saying that Gamble should be held without bail due to the fact that he was already out of bail from the pending Brockton OUI case.

Judge John Julian denied the request and released the defendant on just $1,500 bail.

"The allegations in this case are outrageous. The defendant was out on bail for an OUI out of Brockton District Court. He led police on a 17 mile chase on the wrong side of 195 allegedly in a highly intoxicated state. There is no way that this defendant should have been released from custody. The defendant’s bail should have been revoked on his pending drunken driving charge. This defendant posed an extraordinary risk of danger to motorists travelling in the right direction on 195," District Attorney Quinn said.  "There have been some terrible tragedies that have resulted in death involving people driving on the wrong side of the highway that were alcohol related. In this case, it was a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured. Releasing defendants charged with dangerous criminal conduct is why many citizens do not have confidence that the criminal justice system is adequately protecting them."

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016