ICE Arrests Suspected Drunk Driver Accused of Causing Wrong-Way Crash in Peabody

A man accused of driving the wrong way on Route 1 in Peabody and crashing into a Massachusetts State Police cruiser has been taken into custody by federal immigration authorities, adding a new twist to a case that has already raised concerns about roadway safety across the state.

Lucas Gustavo Brajak DeAlmeida Di Benedetto, 41, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside Peabody District Court on Monday, just moments before he was expected to face charges related to the crash. The arrest prevented his scheduled arraignment from taking place and prompted a judge to issue a default warrant after he failed to appear in court.

The incident stems from a dangerous wrong-way crash that occurred in the early hours of May 31 on Route 1 in Peabody.

Wrong-Way Driver Collides With State Police Cruiser

According to Massachusetts State Police, the crash happened shortly before 2 a.m. when a trooper from the Danvers Barracks spotted a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Route 1.

Troopers immediately began coordinating efforts to stop the vehicle and warn other motorists. Authorities say several officers worked together to prevent a potentially catastrophic collision, but before they could safely intercept the vehicle, it slammed head-on into a marked State Police cruiser.

The impact caused major damage to both vehicles. Investigators said the pickup truck driven by Di Benedetto came to rest in the highway median after the collision.

Emergency crews responded quickly and transported both the driver and the trooper to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, neither suffered life-threatening injuries.

OUI Charges Filed

Following an investigation at the scene, State Police charged Di Benedetto with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.

Court documents indicate that responding officers observed several signs of possible intoxication. Investigators reported smelling alcohol on his breath and noted that his speech was slurred. Officers also claimed he appeared tired, had difficulty keeping his eyes open, and struggled to answer questions clearly.

According to police reports, Di Benedetto admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel. He initially told investigators he had consumed two alcoholic beverages before later clarifying that they were beers.

Authorities attempted to obtain a blood sample to determine his blood-alcohol level. However, the test was never completed because the hospital reportedly did not have a qualified nurse available to perform the procedure required for legal evidence collection.

ICE Steps In Before Court Appearance

When Di Benedetto arrived at Peabody District Court for his arraignment, ICE agents were waiting.

Federal officers detained him outside the courthouse before he could enter the building. As a result, prosecutors informed the court that the defendant was unavailable for arraignment, and a judge subsequently issued a default warrant.

ICE has not publicly disclosed specific details regarding the reason for the detention or whether immigration proceedings are now underway.

The arrest highlights the growing involvement of federal immigration authorities in cases involving criminal defendants, particularly those accused of serious traffic offenses that endanger public safety.

Driver Says He Entered Highway by Mistake

Before his detention, Di Benedetto spoke publicly about the incident and insisted that the crash was an accident.

According to his account, he had spent much of the day driving throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire while searching for a gaming laptop. After returning home to Newburyport, he later accepted an invitation from friends to meet at a bar in Peabody.

He said he remained there until closing time and consumed only two beers during the evening.

While attempting to return home, he claims he accidentally entered Route 1 in the wrong direction while trying to reach Interstate 95 northbound. He blamed confusion and unfamiliarity with the roadway for the mistake.

“The road there is very bad,” he reportedly said when describing how he became disoriented.

Di Benedetto also described himself as a hardworking father and professional chef who had never previously been involved in serious legal trouble.

“I feel bad. I am a good guy,” he told reporters.

Crash Renews Safety Concerns

The Peabody crash occurred just weeks after another tragic wrong-way crash involving Massachusetts State Police.

In May, Trooper Kevin Trainor was killed when a wrong-way driver struck his cruiser while he was responding to reports of a dangerous vehicle on the highway. That incident shocked communities across Massachusetts and intensified discussions about ways to prevent similar crashes.

Transportation officials and lawmakers have since explored new safety measures designed to detect and stop wrong-way drivers before collisions occur. Proposed solutions include improved highway signage, flashing warning systems, lane markers, and advanced detection technology capable of alerting law enforcement when a vehicle enters a roadway in the wrong direction.

The latest crash has added urgency to those discussions, especially because it again involved a State Police cruiser and allegations of impaired driving.

What Happens Next?

The criminal charges against Di Benedetto remain active despite his detention by federal immigration authorities.

State prosecutors are expected to continue pursuing the case while immigration officials determine his legal status and any potential federal proceedings.

Meanwhile, investigators continue reviewing evidence gathered from the crash, and the injured trooper is expected to recover.

As the legal process unfolds, the incident serves as another reminder of the devastating consequences that can result when a driver travels the wrong way on a busy highway. With public attention focused on both highway safety and immigration enforcement, the case is likely to remain under close scrutiny in the weeks ahead.