Driving instructor pleads not guilty to OUI

Daniel L. Winsky of 26 Andrew St., Salem, pleaded not guilty in Newburyport District Court this morning after being summonsed on charges of operating under the influence of liquor. Winsky, who is employed with Anthony's Auto School in Ipswich, was ordered by Judge Allen Swan not to teach driver education while the case is pending.

On Dec. 26, Winsky allegedly conducted a driving lesson for Anthony's Auto School while he was under the influence with two student drivers in the vehicle.

According to the police report, the car made a stop at Cumberland Farms on Central Street, where Winsky purchased a bottle of soda and a bottle of water. A customer at the store then called police to report a strong odor of alcohol from the man, who then got into the small gray sedan with an Anthony's Auto School sign on the roof.

Though a student was behind the wheel at the time of the stop, the police report states a student driver told Det. Peter Dziadose that when the police turned on the cruiser's lights and siren, Winsky aided the student in pulling the car over by grabbing and holding the wheel with him. Winsky also used the brake located in the driver's compartment to stop the vehicle.

The same student also stated he did not detect an odor of alcohol and that Winsky did not appear drunk in the vehicle. He said Winsky did not act like friends he'd witnessed being intoxicated.

Another student reported Winsky picked her up at a friend's house prior to the lesson. The same student received a call from Winsky after being questioned by police to inquire about her statements. Winsky confirmed her driving lesson scheduled for the following day. She later described Winsky to her father as being a little weird and said he drinks Robitussin when she is in the car claiming he does not want to get sick around all the kids.

Portable breathalyzer results were inadmissible in court because a second test was not performed at the station. Winsky's roadside results were .233, according to the police report. Winsky denied drinking anything that day, but when asked whether he'd been drinking heavily the day before, he responded, "Of course, it was Christmas."

Winsky is due back in court for a pretrial hearing April 24.