A police car with its lights flashing

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

A New Hampshire man is facing his fourth impaired driving charge after a series of crashes in East Boston where witnesses say he was seen huffing from an aerosol can in traffic, authorities said.

Matthew Moitoza, 36, of Rye, is charged with operating under the influence of drugs (4th offense), two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and driving to endanger, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. He was also cited for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

Judge Debra DelVecchio declared Moitoza dangerous and ordered him to undergo treatment at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center.

The first call came around 5:40 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, when officers were told a gray Lexus SUV with New Hampshire plates crashed into a tree and a parked car near Saratoga Street before speeding off, police said. Soon after, the same SUV reportedly hit another parked vehicle near Bennington and Saratoga streets.

Boston firefighters later spotted the Lexus in traffic and saw the driver inhaling from an aerosol can. When they tried to speak with him, “he tried to drive away,” officials said. Firefighters punctured the vehicle’s tires and pulled Moitoza out, citing public safety concerns, the prosecutor said. 

Inside the SUV, officers found two cans of Klear Concepts Duster, one empty and one full. Police said Moitoza’s car also had an ignition interlock device, a breathalyzer meant to stop impaired drivers from starting their vehicles.

Witnesses told police Moitoza was seen driving the wrong way on Wordsworth Street, where he struck a parked Toyota truck, a “no stopping” sign, a tree, and a residential metal fence. Others reported he rear-ended a Jeep Gladiator on Saratoga Street and drove away.

At booking, officers noted Moitoza “appeared animated, was shaking, sweating profusely, speaking in a rapid manner, and was confused about what had transpired.”

Moitoza has three previous OUI convictions in New Hampshire.