MANSFIELD - A police officer accused of driving drunk and leaving the scene of two accidents has been suspended without pay for at least one year.

Patrolman William Kelly was suspended by Police Chief Arthur O'Neill following a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

"It was an unfortunate and embarrassing incident for the police department," O'Neill said.

Kelly had been on paid administrative leave following an incident that occurred shortly after midnight on Oct. 11. Police allege Kelly sideswiped a parked car in front of the fire station at 291 North Main St. and left the scene before hitting a fire hydrant in front of 375 West St.

Police said they followed skid marks from the accident scene to the West Village apartment complex at 792 West St., about two miles away, where Kelly's truck was found to have substantial damage. No injuries were reported in either accident.

Kelly was not located until much later that morning and did not answer his door, police said. He was issued a citation, but was not arrested.

Kelly was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage.

He has appealed the charges and has a show-cause hearing scheduled in Attleboro District Court on Thursday.

Neither Kelly nor his lawyer could be reached by The Sun Chronicle for comment Tuesday.

The suspension took effect immediately and Kelly will be eligible to return to the force in one year, provided he meets requirements set forth by O'Neill, which the chief did not wish to discuss publicly.

"We feel we've handled it properly and are ready to move on from here," O'Neill said.

MATT KAKLEY covers Mansfield for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.