Former Big Dig chief facing Massachusetts OUI charges in Haverhill District Court
The 52-year-old former chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority -- and chief of the Big Dig -- was in court this week on a Massachusetts drunk driving charge, according to ABC 5.
Matt Amorello pleaded not guilty in connection with an Aug. 7 crash during a brief appearance in Haverhill District Court. Amorello is accused of damaging two parked cars in Haverhill in a crash that sheared off the left-front tire of his Ford Explorer. Police say he was uncooperative at the scene and was maced after refusing to get out of his vehicle.
He then refused to cooperate during his booking photo and his head had to be held in place for the camera, according to authorities. Family members say he was mistreated and should have been hospitalized. Appointed to lead the Turnpike Authority in 2002, he resigned under pressure in 2006 after a ceiling collapse killed a Boston woman.
Amorello missed a previous arraignment, during which his attorney claims he was hospitalized, according to the Boston Herald. A relative said Amorello should have been hospitalized instead of taken to jail.
The Boston Globe report the judge has ordered Amorello to stay out of trouble while the case is pending or risk jail time. He is due back in court on Sept. 30.