LAWRENCE, MASS. (WHDH) - A father in Everett was called to court after he was accused of drunk driving.
Steven Byrnes, 52, was arrested after police say he tried to pick his 10-year-old son up from school while drunk, but hours later he was released and picked up again for allegedly driving drunk.
It turns out, it was not his first time being arrested for driving drunk. Prosecutors say it was his ninth time being accused of driving drunk.
“They learned from the principal of that school that he was concerned that an intoxicated parent was about to drive or walk a kid home from school,” said prosecutors.
“He became agitated and started swearing at officers,” added prosecutors. “He clearly smelled of alcohol.”
According to the police report, his son even told police, “He doesn’t feel safe when his father, ‘acts this way,’ and that ‘sometimes he gets like this’…’when he drinks.’”
Officers arrested the Everett man, but hours later he was released. That’s when Byrnes’ other son, a man in his 20’s, called 911 just before midnight to say his dad was driving drunk again.
The Everett man pleaded not guilty in court, but prosecutors say this isn’t his first OUI.
Prosecutors said the defendant has been convicted of OUI eight other times.
The 10-year-old boy is at home, safe with his mother.
Byrnes will be in front of a judge later on next week.
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