Quiambaug Fire Chief James E. McPherson was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs early Saturday morning after police say he drove his car into the lane of an oncoming police cruiser.
McPherson, 49, of 98 Flanders Road, also was charged with failure to drive right. Under state law, he lost his right to drive for 24 hours but can continue to drive until his case is resolved in court. He was released later Saturday on a promise to appear in New London Superior Court.
McPherson had no comment when reached on the phone this afternoon.
According to police, McPherson was driving east on South Broad Street just past 2 a.m. when he crossed the center line and drove into the path of a westbound cruiser driven by an officer on a special drunken-driving patrol. The officer was able to pull to the side of the road before turning around and stopping McPherson at the Pawcatuck post office.
