NORTH ATTLEBORO - Police say an alleged drunken driver struck a utility pole and drove off before calling a friend to drive his car, but eventually police stopped the vehicle.

Dennis J. White Jr., 23, of 328 Elm St. in North Attleboro, pleaded innocent Friday in Attleboro District Court to related charges and was released without bail.

Police were called to the area of Mount Hope and Elm streets around 1 a.m. Thursday after a witness reported a car leaving the scene of an accident with the front bumper hanging off.

Police said a car with that description was stopped by Patrolman Joseph Turner on Toner Boulevard near Interstate 95 a short time later with three occupants inside the vehicle.

The driver of the car at that time was released after questioning and a 24-year-old passenger was placed into protective custody, according to police. White, who was in the front passenger seat, was questioned and charged with driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

In addition to drunken driving, White faces charges of driving to endanger, leaving the scene, resisting arrest and being disorderly.

He is due back in court Dec. 15 with a lawyer.