Sleeping Drunk Driver Eric Funes Leads Police On Low-Speed Car Chase In Massachusetts

Massachusetts police spotted a man asleep at the wheel early Sunday driving in the left lane of Interstate 93. When police approached the vehicle, the driver took off, leading officials on a low-speed chase, Boston.com reported Sunday.

Trooper James DeAngelis said the driver, 29-year-old Eric Funes, was spotted at 4:53 a.m. unconscious traveling northbound near exist 13 in a 2005 Toyota Corolla.

DeAngelis woke up Funes to investigate further, but the driver quickly took off, leading the officer on a low-speed car chase on the interstate.

The chase was short-lived, ending 3 miles later when three of Funes car tires were deflated by a tire-deflation device set up by police nearby the Tip O'Neil Tunnel.

The Massachusetts State Police confirmed in a statement Sunday that Funes was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, a second offense. Fune was also charged with failure to stop for police, driving to endanger and a marked lanes violation.

The Framingham resident was released on bail from State Police Barracks in South Boston.

State Police Sergeant Derek Outerbridge, Sergeant William Fitzmaurice, Trooper Brian Sullivan and Trooper Richard Lauria also assisted in the arrest.

Boston residents commented on the arrest on the department’s official Facebook page, calling the trooper’s actions heroic.

“Who knows what would have happened if this guy was not taken off the road,” commenter Donna Bove McEvoy said. “Great job, Trooper DeAngelis.”

“The high speed lane is not a place to pass out, dummy! Thankfully no one got hurt, and another one is off the roads. 29 and two DWIs, I’m thinking he doesn’t understand, and hopefully the man in the black robe addresses that,” commenter Chuck Flahive said.