Police: Man Had to be Revived After Crashing, Fleeing Under the Influence of Drugs

Emergency personnel had to revive a 27-year-old Norwood man with Narcan on Mass. Ave. in Arlington Friday evening after he allegedly crashed into an oncoming car and then fled while under the influence of drugs.

Police received a call about a hit-and-run crash in front of Stop & Shop at 905 Mass. Ave. at about 5:45 p.m. and soon located the suspect’s Toyota Camry pulled over in front of Anderson’s Florist at 830 Mass. Ave.

The driver, Daniel J. Johnston, of Brierwood Lane, Norwood, was unconscious in the driver’s seat and had purple lips before he was revived, police said. Police allegedly spotted a hypodermic needle next to Johnston and four more in his trunk.

After being revived on scene, Johnston was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford.

Witnesses said Johnston ran the red light in front of Stop & Shop and then crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming car in the process. A witness followed Johnston, who fled, and found him unconscious before emergency personnel arrived.

At the hospital, Johnston allegedly told police he had been clean for two years but “slipped up.” He said he did not remember driving, according to police.

Johnston also allegedly told police that all the past breaking and entering charges on his record were because he needed money for drugs.

Johnston was charged with operating under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and leaving the scene of property damage.