DUI Driver Hits Cyclist and Flees Scene

A man was charged with DUI after injuring a bicyclist in a hit-and-run accident.

Details about the DUI Accident

WCVB News is reporting that a 21-year-old man appeared in court on Monday after he was accused of a hit-and-run that injured a bicyclist.

According to police from Wellesley, Connor Campanelli was drunk on Friday night be he hit a bicyclist on Hampshire Road in Wellesley and then fled the scene of the accident.

Campanelli pleaded not guilty to operating a motor vehicle under the influence and negligently, causing serious bodily injury, for leaving the scene of a personal injury collision, failure to keep right, speeding, negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Campanelli must remain drug and alcohol free and will have random screenings. He may also not drive while the case is pending. Campanelli was held on $3,000 bail and is due back in court on April 21.

The 47-year-old Framingham cyclist was unconscious at the scene of the accident and suffered from non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the man was wearing reflective clothing and had lights on the bike at the time of the accident. Police were alerted of the collision by another driver who witnessed the crash and called police.

Important Information about DUI Accidents

Mothers against Drunk Driving reports that there are about 100 wrongful deaths every year in the state of Massachusetts that can be linked to driving under the influence:

• In 2013, there were a total of 118 DUI-related fatalities that happened in Massachusetts.
• Alcohol-related fatalities accounted for about 36.2 percent of all total traffic fatalities in the state in 2013.
• An ignition interlock law in Massachusetts went into effect in the state for repeat offenders in 2006.