Wrong Way Operator Arrested for OUI in Wareham

State Police from the Dartmouth barracks responded to reports of a wrong-way operator on Route 195 in Fairhaven, which resulted in the arrest of the operator in Wareham.

Trooper Christopher Meleo observed a 2015 Nissan Altima travelling westbound on Route 195 in the eastbound travel lanes.  Tpr Meleo, with his emergency lights activated, paralleled the vehicle from the eastbound travel lanes but the operator refused to stop and continued travelling westbound on the eastbound side at a high rate of speed.  Troopers from the Dartmouth and Bourne Barracks along with local police departments monitored traffic to ensure the wrong way operator did not cause any crashes.

With assistance from Marion Police Officer Jeffery Habicht successfully deployed a tire deflation device in the area of Exit 20. The vehicle struck the device causing all four tires to deflate but continued to travel westbound on Route 195 east.

A short time later, the vehicle lost control and stopped in the median just prior to Exit 21.  The driver, identified as, JOWAUN GAMBLE, 23 of Wareham was placed under arrest on the following charges:

1. OUI Liquor
2. Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
3. Wrong Way on a State Highway
4. Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
5. Resist Arrest
6. Speeding

GAMBLE was booked at the State Police barracks in Dartmouth and subsequently transported to the Bristol County House of Correction where he will be held pending his arraignment at New Bedford District Court on Monday.