Former NHL all-star Ray Bourque pleads not guilty to DUI charge, tests three times over alcohol limit

Published 7:31 pm Monday, June 27, 2016

ANDOVER, Mass.  — Former National Hockey League all-star Ray Bourque tested  three times over the legal alcohol limit when he crashed his Mercedes-Benz SUV into a mini-van driven by a teenager in a construction zone, according to the police report released in court Monday.

 “I had a few drinks at the Andover Country Club,” Bourque  told Andover police officer Jeffrey Arleque when questioned at the accident scene 25 miles north of Boston late Friday night.

Bourque blew a blood alcohol content of .249 during a field breathalyzer test administered by the officer. A person is considered legally intoxicated in Massachusetts with a blood alcohol level of .08.

Bourque, 55, a resident of nearby Boxford, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with drunken driving and following too closely. Dressed smartly in a black suit and white shirt, he pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday afternoon, greeting District Judge Lynn Rooney with a firm and friendly, “Good afternoon, judge.”

He was ordered to return to court on July 21 for a pre-trial conference.

The police report said Bourque, at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz GL450 SUV, rear-ended a Toyota Sienna mini-van driven by Melanie Hilman, 18, of Andover. Bourque’s vehicle had minor front bumper damage; Hilman’s van had heavy rear-end damage.

Hilman had two 17-year-old passengers in the mini-van and Bourque had a male passenger in the SUV. There were no injuries to the drivers or passengers, the police report said.

Officer Arleque said when he spoke to Bourque, he asked him if had been drinking and Bourque told him he had been at the Andover Country Club, a popular private golf course in the suburban Boston area.

“During our conversation I observed that Mr. Bourque was slurring his speech,” the officer wrote. When Bourque got out of his SUV, the officer said, Bourque appeared “unsteady on his feet and swaying side to side.”

During a roadside sobriety test, Arleque said, Bourque informed the officer  he had physical problems with his hips and knees. Arleque  then administered the portable breath test, which showed a reading of .249.

“After conducting these tests, combined with my observations and the strong odor of what I believe to be an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath, I placed Mr. Bourque under arrest,” the officer wrote.

Bourque played 21 seasons for the Boston Bruins before winning the Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. He was an NHL all-star and longtime Bruins captain.

He issued a statement expressing relief no one was injured in the accident, thanking those who reached out to support him, and asking the news media to respect his privacy as he deals with the legal process.

“For the first time in my life, I find myself in unfamiliar territory,” said the statement. “I am not happy about the situation I put myself into on Friday night. I am a very proud person that accepts the responsibility of my actions and have always accepted being in the media eye. I have used this popularity to try and positively impact as many lives as possible.”

Jill Harmacinski is a reporter with The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass..