WESTFIELD – A driver hit a house Sunday night demolishing a handicap ramp and causing the front porch roof to collapse.
James N. Merati, 25, of Westfield, who was arrested at the scene, was allegedly high on drugs at the time of the crash.
Police received a call at approximately 10:46 p.m. Sunday night about a vehicle exiting the roadway and hitting the house located at 551 Southwick Road.
Westfield Police Capt. Hipolito Nunez said no one was home at the time of the crash.
When questioned by Westfield Police Officer Sean Smith, Merati said, he had “passed out and did not recollect the collision,” according to court records.
Merati’s vehicle, a 2015 Chevy Aveo, had heavy front end damage, so it needed to be towed.
During inventory of the vehicle prior to towing, Smith found a can of Dust Off Electronics Duster in the rear of the vehicle, according to court records.
The can was “ice cold” despite the temperature outside being approximately 65 degrees, which indicated the can had been recently used.
Upon further questioning, Merati admitted to “huffing” prior to the accident, according to court documents.
Additionally, Smith found a medicine bottle containing 17 white packages of heroin with the stamp “Gucci,” and two straws were located in the front driver’s side door pocket.
Nunez said that Merati wasn’t charged with possession to distribute because 17 packets isn’t that much.
“A heroin user can go through that pretty quickly,” he said.
Merati was released on $100 cash bail pending a September 18 hearing after being arraigned in Westfield District Court on Monday on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Class A drug and inhaling glue/toxic substance.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
