Boston Police Officer Slapped With New Charges In OUI Crash

WEST ROXBURY, MA — A Boston police officer faces new felony offenses related to a crash with his truck that injured two 20-year-olds in Boston on New Year’s Day, after the Suffolk County Grand Jury returned the second set of indictments against him late Wednesday.

Boston Police officer Domenic Columbo, 39, of West Roxbury, now faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – a motor vehicle – and single counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Columbo had previously only been charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury.

Columbo was driving his personal 2012 Ford F150, when he allegedly struck a Honda Accord at the intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street. The crash injured two 20-year-olds in the Honda; the passenger was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury but survived.

“His injuries are severe and long-lasting,” District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. “They will likely change the course of his life and the lives of those who love him. And the cause of those injuries, we allege, was one man’s decision to drink and drive.”

The operator of the Honda, who was treated for abrasions and lacerations, did not show signs of impairment.

Columbo’s blood was drawn at the hospital, where he was treated for his own injuries. That blood sample was seized pursuant to a search warrant and tested by the State Police Crime Laboratory, which suggested a blood-alcohol content of greater than .11, well over the legal limit to drive.

Based on video evidence, a forensic examination of Columbo’s truck, and further investigation by collision reconstruction experts, investigators also believe he was operating at a speed higher than the 25 mile per hour limit at the time of the crash.

“I hold my officers to the highest standards and it saddens me to see that a police officer put himself in a position that caused harm to others. I wish to send my sincere well wishes to those that were injured as a result of this incident," said Police Commissioner Bill Evans.

Columbo’s next appearance in Dorchester Municipal Court is April 24. He will likely be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on that date.

Previously on Patch:

Boston Police Officer Arraigned In OUI That Seriously Injured One

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