Massachusetts police officer on leave after high-speed, head-on crash, officials say
By Jamy Pombo Sesselman & Peter Eliopoulos
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MARSHFIELD, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A Marshfield, Massachusetts, police officer is facing felony operating under the influence charges after a high-speed, head-on crash Sunday night that seriously injured another driver, officials said.
Officer Richard Perry was off-duty and driving a Jeep westbound on Route 139 at a high rate of speed when the Jeep crossed a double-yellow line and struck a Honda Civic head-on. Another vehicle was also struck in the collision, police said.
“There’s a Jeep upside down in the grass right on the corner, and there’s another car across the street, the front driver side corner, completely smashed in up to the door,” said witness Michael Torchetti.
The driver of the Civic became trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by the Marshfield Fire Department. Perry was able to get out of the Jeep on his own.
Both drivers were taken to hospitals to be treated for serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
Perry faces charges of operating under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violations and speeding.
Perry was placed on administrative leave, police said. He’s been a police officer in Marshfield for about four years, according to the department’s social media pages.
“No matter who you are or what position you hold, conduct that endangers the public will be addressed through the appropriate legal process,” Marshfield Police Department Chief Philip A. Tavares said.
A family member of the person in the Honda told WCVB in an email that the victim remains in the intensive care unit and has undergone several surgeries after the crash.
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