HAVERHILL, Mass. -- The former head of the Big Dig was in court Tuesday, accused of drunken driving earlier this month.

Matt Amorello, 52, the former chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, was released on personal recognizance Tuesday after a not guilty plea to drunken driving charges was entered on his behalf in connection with an Aug. 7 crash.

Uncut: Amorello Arrives At Court | Uncut: Amorello Arraignment | Uncut: Amorello Speaks After Court

Flanked by his attorney Bill Hogan, his brother David and his brother-in-law Howard Rose, Amorello thanked supporters after his brief appearance in Haverhill District Court on Tuesday, but would not speak directly about the incident or the charges.

"I understand that you want me to make a statement, but I cannot," he said. "I intend to deal with the matter and not create further embarrassment for my family or me. Unfortunately, I cannot answer any questions or speak publicly on this matter until the case is resolved."

He was supposed to be arraigned on Aug. 9, but never showed up in court. His lawyer later said he did not show up because he was in the hospital.

"He used the word embarrassment. I think that's a good word to kind of capture where he is with respect to life issues," Hogan said after Amorello's brief statement.

In the crash, Amorello damaged two parked vehicles in Haverhill and sheared off the left front tire of his Ford Explorer, police said. When Haverhill police caught him in the parking lot of a local auto dealership, they said he was uncooperative.

The arresting officer wrote in his report, "I asked for his license and registration several times, and all he could say was, 'Come on.'"

When Amorello allegedly refused to get out of the vehicle, officers were forced to mace him.

Police said he later refused to hold up his head for the booking photo, so an officer's gloved hands are seen propping up Amorello's head.

Amorello was appointed in 2002 to lead the Turnpike Authority. He resigned under pressure from then-Gov. Mitt Romney in 2006 after a Big Dig tunnel ceiling collapse killed a Boston woman.

Amorello is not allowed to drive until at least his next court appearance on Sept. 30.