Police: Man drove drunk with toddler

An Athol man is facing new charges after allegedly driving drunk with a toddler in the car while out on bail.

Jackson D. Lagerquist, 31, was arrested and charged on Sept. 26 with driving under the influence and injury to a child, both misdemeanors.

Lagerquist was previously arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence in June 2020, when police said he hit another car while getting off the interstate. A jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Upon his release on $50,000 bail, he was required to submit to drug and alcohol testing six times per month. He was also ordered not to drive.

However, Lagerquist reportedly failed to appear for court-ordered testing. A judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest on Sept. 11.

Police in an unmarked vehicle located Lagerquist driving a truck on E. Bunco Road on Sept. 26, according to court records. He reportedly stopped in front of a residence, got out of the truck and opened the residence’s gate, at which point police activated the unmarked vehicle’s red and blue lights and sirens.

Lagerquist reportedly opened the back door of the truck, and a toddler exited and ran to the house, where the child’s grandparents were waiting, according to court documents.

Lagerquist reportedly told police he’d had a Bloody Mary at lunch, according to court records.

He was arrested at the scene.

A judge ordered Monday that Lagerquist be held on $50,000 bail. He was also ordered not to drive and to submit to drug and alcohol testing.

Jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 7. If convicted, Lagerquist faces up to 10 years in prison.