Police say DUI driver ran red, caused crash
Four people hurt in 2:45 a.m. wreck; fistfight ensues.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — A Jupiter man is facing charges that he blew through a red light in Palm Beach Gardens last week, then caused a crash while he was allegedly drunk, according to an arrest report.
When city police arrived early Thursday, an officer saw four men engaged in a fistfight at the scene of the crash.
Thomas Martin Hopper, 23, and a second man ran away when police rolled up but were quickly apprehended.
Hopper is facing charges of hit-and-run in a crash involving injuries, DUI with property damage and resisting an officer without violence. He was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Thursday after posting a $3,000 bond.
According to witnesses, Hopper was driving a Hyundai that went through a red light at the intersection of Alternate State Road A1A and Lighthouse Drive, near the Promenade Shopping Center, and smashed into an Infiniti with two passengers, the report said. The crash took place at about 2:45 a.m.
The occupants of the vehicles were engaged in a fist- fight when police arrived.
After being caught by police, Hopper told officers he was coming from the Pirate’s Well Restaurant and Bar. The officer notes in the report that Hopper’s breath had a strong odor of alcohol and that he swayed while speaking in a mumble.
Hopper and his passenger were each taken to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center with unidentified injuries. Hopper refused a blood draw at the hospital to determine his blood-alcohol level, the report said. The report indicates that Hopper was ordered to comply, but results were not available.
The passenger in the Infiniti had injuries to his head and mouth and was taken to a hospital. The Infiniti’s driver “appeared to have injuries” but declined to be taken to a hospital.