Drunk driver crashes truck, hides in pond

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State Police arrested Patrick Masse, 31, of West Tisbury, after he crashed a 1999 Chevy pickup truck on Lambert’s Cove Road and fled into No Bottom Pond, the night of May 31. It was Mr. Masse’s third arrest for operating under the influence.

State Police began their pursuit at about 9:50 pm when Mr. Masse drove past State Police Trooper David Parent parked on Beach Road near the drawbridge in Tisbury, according to State Police Sergeant Thomas Medeiros. Mr. Masse almost struck Trooper Parent’s cruiser as he sped by.

Trooper Parent followed Mr. Masse with his lights and siren on in an attempt to stop the vehicle. He was later joined in his pursuit by State Police Trooper Robert Branca and Tisbury Police Officer Scott Ogden.

Police said at that point, Mr. Masse’s vehicle was traveling 40 to 50 miles per hour along State Road before making the turn on to Lambert’s Cove Road.

Mr. Masse ran the truck off the road twice, and then crashed in front of 363 Lambert’s Cove Road.The truck was not his.

Police found the truck on its side, up against a tree just above No Bottom Pond. Mr. Masse was not in it. They notified West Tisbury fire and rescue personnel. Trooper Branca requested assistance from the State Police Air Wing.

Six police officers searched the area, assisted by a helicopter. Mr. Masse was located about 10 minutes later, hiding in the pond, Trooper Parent said.

He was taken to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, treated and released, and transported to jail.

Mr. Masse was arraigned June 1 on charges of operating under the influence (third offense); marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, use of motor vehicle without authority, failure to stop for police, and operating motor vehicle with license revoked as a habitual traffic offender. Mr. Masse’s case was continued to pretrial conference.