On Saturday, December 8, 2024, officers from the Abington Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Plymouth Street following a report of a suspicious motor vehicle that had been parked along the public way for an extended period of time. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered John Gardner Sr., 67, of Whitman, slumped over and unresponsive behind the wheel of his vehicle.
After multiple attempts to make contact with Gardner, officers were able to rouse him from his unconscious state. A brief investigation revealed that Gardner appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic while operating his vehicle. In addition, officers discovered approximately 13 grams of crack cocaine in his possession.
Gardner was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Abington Police Department for further processing.
Gardner has been charged with the following offenses:
- Operating Under the Influence of Drugs (OUI Drugs), 2nd Offense
- Operating a Motor Vehicle to Endanger
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Controlled Substance
Gardner was set to be arraigned in a Brockton District Court, and is presumed innocent of all charges until convicted in a court of law.
“This arrest is a prime example of the exceptional work being done by the officers at the Abington Police Department,” said Chief John Bonney. “Officer Flannery’s actions not only took an impaired driver off the road, keeping the motoring public safe, but also helped remove dangerous drugs from circulation. His diligence and commitment to public safety make us all proud.”