Joshua Joseph Brooks
YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Police report that on Saturday at 3:47 PM, Patrol Officer Brian Niezgoda was on patrol in a marked police cruiser and stopped for the red traffic light at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Higgins-Crowell Road in West Yarmouth.
As the light turned green, Patrol Officer Niezgoda drove forward and noticed a gray truck traveling eastbound driving right at him. In order to avoid a collision, Officer Niezgoda slammed on the brakes and his cruiser came to a sudden stop. The gray truck ran through the red light and came within approximately 6 inches of the front bumper at approximately 40 miles per hour.
Officer Niezgoda avoided the collision and then activated the cruiser blue lights and siren and pulled the gray Dodge Ram truck over at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Barnboard Lane.
Officer Niezgoda encountered the operator and identified him as Joshua Joseph Brooks, 34, of Yarmouthport.
Brooks immediately apologized for almost hitting the Officer and stated he had just come from the nearby Dog Park.
Patrol Officer Niezgoda noticed signs of alcohol use and conducted a series of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.
Brooks failed the tests and was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of liquor, operating negligently to endanger and failing to stop at a red light. His vehicle was towed and plates removed and seized.
Upon arrival at Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters, a check of his Massachusetts Criminal History revealed four prior OUI arrests. Two of them were guilty findings that allowed for a third offense charge which is considered a felony in Massachusetts.
Brooks was processed and then released on $500 Cash Bail after paying the additional $40 fee for the weekend.
Brooks was arraigned in The Barnstable District Court on Monday and released on the same bail pending his next court date.
Media release and mugshot furnished by Yarmouth Police
