Local Priest, School Chaplain Pleads Not Guilty To OUI Charge
A local priest and chaplain at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis pleaded not guilty on Monday following his arrest Friday night after crashing his car into a fence in Yarmouthport.
Christopher D. Hughes, 29, who serves as a parochial vicar at two mid-Cape churches and as a chaplain at his alma mater, St. John Paul II, was arrested late last Friday night, April 25, following a crash on Route 6A in Yarmouthport near Mill Lane. During his arraignment in Barnstable District Court on Monday, April 28, he pleaded not guilty to charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation.
In a statement to the Enterprise on Tuesday, April 29, the Diocese of Fall River has confirmed that it “is aware of the charges facing Father Chris Hughes, who serves as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, and as Chaplain at St. John Paul II School in Hyannis. The matter is currently under review by diocesan officials.”
Head of St. John Paul II School Dr. William Latimer, in a statement dated Sunday, April 27, informed the school community of Mr. Hughes' arrest, writing that it will "continue to monitor the situation closely and update you as appropriate."
Previously a resident of Sandwich, Mr. Hughes entered seminary school in 2017, and was given a farewell blessing by Christ The King in Mashpee, his home parish. He then spent several years with Christ The King, where he was ordained as a deacon in 2022.
Mr. Hughes was ordained as a priest in June 2023. Now a resident of Forestdale, he celebrated his first Mass at Christ The King in Mashpee, his home parish, on June 4 of that year. Since then, Mr. Hughes has been featured on Catholic Television Network, which hosts virtual Catholic Masses online.
Per the police report from the incident, written by Officer Thomas J. Belinksi of Yarmouth Police Department and obtained by the Enterprise, officers were dispatched to the area of 56 Route 6A, near the corner of Mill Lane in Yarmouthport, just before 9:30 PM Friday for reports of a vehicle having crashed into a fence.
Per the police report, Mr. Hughes allegedly identified himself as the driver and told the reporting officer that he was trying to answer a phone call while driving and, in trying to turn off the music and switch to the phone call, swerved right, hitting the fence and some large rocks.
Officer Belinski’s report states that he observed vehicle debris in the area, indicating that the vehicle “hit several large rocks, a bush, and then a fence before returning to the road on the wrong side,” where his car was allegedly found facing west in the eastbound lane.
The reporting officer wrote that Mr. Hughes allegedly had slurred speech, glassy eyes and an odor of alcohol about him. In speaking with the reporting officer, Mr. Hughes allegedly said he had two alcoholic beverages that evening, hours before the crash.
Mr. Hughes is reported to have declined medical transport, and field sobriety tests—finger dexterity, alphabet recitation, balance and walk and turn tests—were conducted, according to the report.
Mr. Hughes allegedly refused a PBT, or preliminary breath test, and was placed into custody of Yarmouth Police. Upon booking, Mr. Hughes reportedly agreed to a breathalyzer test, with the reported result being 0.17, twice the legal limit.
Mr. Hughes entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment in Barnstable District Court on Monday. His next court appearance is set for May 15.
Mr. Hughes' attorney did not respond to requests for comment before deadline.