An East Wareham man was arrested for allegedly striking another vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol. 

On Friday, Nov. 8, at 11:08 p.m., Wareham Police responded to Cranberry Highway near Chili’s restaurant for a motor vehicle accident. The reporting party said their vehicle was struck by a red Mustang that was now attempting to flee the area.

Upon his arrival, Officer Aaron Pacheco saw a man, identified as Terry Panisiak, 37, of East Wareham, jump out of the Mustang and run away towards the front yard of a Cranberry Highway area where he resided.

Officer Pacheco ordered Panisiak to stop and detained him. While handcuffing him, the officer noted that Panisiak was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and “his eyes were bloodshot and glassy.” He repeatedly said “my buddy was driving.” 

Upon returning to the scene of the accident, the officer determined that Panisiak had struck a vehicle at the corner of Tyler Avenue and fled. When Panisiak attempted to make a U-turn on Cranberry Highway, he hit a steel trench box located in a construction site, ultimately disabling his Mustang.

Officer Pacheco placed Panisiak under arrest. No one was injured during the incident. 

Panisiak refused to take a chemical test, but a nip bottle of Fireball was found on his person and placed into evidence.

Terry Panisiak was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.