Somerville Man Runs Sobriety Checkpoint, Wrecks Car in Chelmsford

A Somerville man faces a long list of charges after allegedly running a state police sobriety checkpoint in Lowell and then wrecking his car in downtown Chelmsford early Saturday morning.

Thomas Leedberg, 25, is charged with OUI-liquor (2nd offense), assault with a dangerous weapon (a car), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and other motor vehicle violations, according to a state police spokesman.

He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court.

According to a state police report, the incident began around 1:25 a.m., when Leedberg approached a sobriety checkpoint on Thorndike Road. Leedberg allegedly slowed down and entered the checkpoint area, then abruptly picked up speed and fled the area. As he fled, he allegedly nearly struck multiple troopers with his vehicle.

Leedberg led troopers on a chase along Route 4 and into the center of Chelmsford, where he lost control of his vehicle and rolled it over.

A Chelmsford emergency response team responded to the crash scene and extracted Leedberg and a 21-year-old passenger. The passenger wasn't injured but Leedberg had to be transported to Lowell General Hospital. He was treated, released and placed under arrest, according to the state police spokesman.

No charges were filed against his passenger.