GROTON — On Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, the Groton Police Department received a 911 call reporting that a motorist had struck a tree and continued driving from the scene.
According to Groton Deputy Police Chief Rachael Mead, the caller followed the vehicle until it pulled into a restaurant parking lot and became disabled in the parking lot behind the building.
When officers arrived on scene, they identified the driver as Angela Rubin.
Police said Rubin told officers she was unsure what had caused the crash, wanted to go home, and asked officers to bring her three children home. The children had been riding in the backseat of the vehicle.
While speaking with Rubin, police reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol coming from her and observed that she was unsteady on her feet and swaying. Police also described her eyes as extremely glassy and wet.
Deputy Chief Mead said officers asked Rubin if she had been drinking that day and she denied consuming any alcohol.
Witnesses told investigators they had been traveling behind Rubin’s vehicle and observed it having difficulty staying within its lane before crossing the double yellow line and striking a tree.
The witnesses stopped to check on Rubin and saw the three children in the backseat.
According to Deputy Chief Mead, after the witnesses asked if everyone was okay, Rubin allegedly asked them not to tell anyone she had crashed.
Rubin then got back into the vehicle, made a U-turn, and drove in the direction she came from.
Concerned for Rubin and the children, a witness called 911 and followed the vehicle until it entered the restaurant parking lot.
Following an investigation, police determined that Rubin had been operating under the influence of alcohol and placed her under arrest.
Rubin was transported to the Groton Police Department, where Deputy Chief Mead said she submitted to a breath test that produced a result of 0.27.
Rubin was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and three counts of child endangerment while OUI.
She was arraigned in Ayer District Court on the aforementioned charges.
