PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Plymouth Police say that James Hanna, the principal of Plymouth South High School, was charged with an OUI on Saturday night after a car crash.
According to the Plymouth Police report, shortly after 6 p.m. police were dispatched to a car accident at Mayflower Food & Spirits on South Street where a Kia Sedan had heavy rear-end damage and a Jeep Grand Cherokee showed front-end damage.
The owner of the Kia told police that he was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green he started to pull away before being hit from behind. He pointed to Hanna and stated, “I think he is drunk.” A female passenger in his car complained of neck and back pain was taken to a local hospital.
Hanna told police that he looked down at his phone to see a text when he allegedly rear-ended the Kia Sedan. Police reported that they detected a “moderate odor” of alcohol and saw bloodshot eyes. When asked if he had consumed any alcohol, he said he drank three beers before driving to pick up dinner. Hanna failed numerous sobriety tests, police stated in their report.
In addition to being charged with OUI, he was also charged with negligent operation and injury from mobile phone use.
Plymouth Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gary Maestas, released the following statement on Monday:
The Plymouth Schools are aware of a DUI arrest of an employee within one of our schools. This is a personnel matter and will be addressed with the individual. The Plymouth Public Schools will proceed in the best interest of the students of the particular school within the community of Plymouth. A plan is being developed to address the short and long-term needs of the building and will be conveyed to the school community when available.
— Dr. Gary Maestas
Plymouth Public Schools also sent out a letter to parents stating that Hanna would, “no longer be serving as Principal of Plymouth South High School.” The letter did not mention specifically why Hanna was no longer the principal, only that the situation is a “personal matter.”