On May 9, Christopher Hughes of Sandwich received a sentence in Barnstable District Court of one year of probation, assignment to a 24-D program, loss of license for 45 days, and fees of up to $600, according to court records.
By agreeing to complete the 24-D program, also referred to at the Massachusetts Impaired Driving Program (MID), Hughes only had a license suspension of 45 days, as opposed to a year-long suspension, according to his attorney Peter Lloyd.
After the crash, at his April 28 arraignment, Hughes entered a plea of not guilty to three charges including operating under the influence, marked lane violations and driving under the influence, according to court records. He was released on personal recognizance. On May 9, he changed his plea to admission to sufficient facts.
As a result of the change of plea, the charge of driving under the influence was continued without a finding, the charge of negligent operation of a motor vehicle was dismissed and for the marked lanes violation, Hughes was found not responsible, according to court records.
The 24-D program is primarily aimed at first-time offenders, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Hughes crashes car into a fence on Route 6A
Around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, Yarmouth police responded to a vehicle that crashed into a fence at 56 Route 6A, according to the police report.
Hughes allegedly told police he was the driver and that he was trying to answer a phone call when he swerved right, hitting the fence.
Police conducted a field sobriety test at the scene with Hughes, according to the report. Initially, he refused to take the breathalyzer test, but later agreed at the police department.
In an emailed statement on April 28, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River said it "is aware of the charges facing Father Chris Hughes who serves as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, and as Chaplain at St. John Paul II School in Hyannis. The matter is currently under review by diocesan officials."
The Diocese of Fall River did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on Tuesday, July 29.