An Oak Bluffs police officer has resigned after facing drunken driving charges from his involvement in a two-car motor vehicle accident in Tisbury Monday.
Oak Bluffs police chief Erik Blake confirmed the resignation of Noah Stobie Friday afternoon in a text message to the Gazette. Officer Stobie was off duty at the time of the incident.
Mr. Stobie, 27, of Vineyard Haven, was arraigned in Edgartown district court on Sept. 13 charges in Vineyard Haven of drunken driving, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation.
Mr. Stobie pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday before the Hon. John Julian, according to court documents. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 10.
The charges stem from a motor vehicle accident that occurred around 2 p.m. Monday on the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown Road, according to a Tisbury police report filed in court. A black Toyota SUV operated by Mr. Stobie crossed the yellow line and hit a trailer in the oncoming lane, according to eyewitness statements in the report, causing damage to the vehicle.
Tisbury police officers Anthony Fusaro and Pierce Harrer responded to the scene. The report was written by officer Pierce Harrer.
According to the report, Mr. Stobie told officers he was returning home after playing golf when he reached over to change the radio channel in his vehicle, causing him to cross over the double-yellow lines and strike the trailer. Mr. Harrer said in the report that he detected an odor of alcohol on Mr. Stobie’s breath, and that he showed other signs of intoxication.
“I asked Mr. Stobie if he had consumed any alcohol. Mr. Stobie stated he had consumed two beers while playing golf,” the report states.
Mr. Stobie refused field sobriety tests and a breath test, according to the report.
He was arrested at the scene and booked at the Edgartown jail. His driver’s license was confiscated and suspended, according to the report.
A longtime Oak Bluffs special officer, Mr. Stobie was promoted to a full-time police officer in February.
In an earlier text message to the Gazette Friday, Chief Erik Blake said Mr. Stobie had been placed on administrative leave. Several hours later, the chief said the officer had resigned his post.
