Brookline firefighter charged with drunk driving, hit-and-run

A Brookline firefighter was arraigned on drunk driving and hit-and-run charges after he allegedly struck two vehicles in Newton early Saturday morning, officials said.

Jeremy Joseph, 34, of Brookline, was arraigned Tuesday in Newton District Court on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a personal injury, and a marked lanes violation, the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan said in a statement. A not-guilty plea was entered for Joseph.

At about 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, Newton police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Corey Street, where it was reported that Joseph was trying to flee, Ryan's office said.

Joseph also allegedly struck another vehicle on nearby Lagrange Street, resulting in the Newton Fire Department having to use hydraulic tools to remove the victim from his vehicle, according to Ryan's office.

Joseph suffered non-life-threatening injuries in that crash and was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Judge Mary Heffernan ordered Joseph not to drive without a valid license, not to consume alcohol, and to sign releases for the probation department to track any substance abuse treatments, Ryan's office said.

The next scheduled hearing in the case will be on Nov 6.