A candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, Republican Shawn Oliver, was arrested for drunken driving after a crash Saturday night that damaged several parked vehicles and overturned his own, police said.
On Sunday, New Bedford City Councilman Oliver announced he was suspending his campaign, as his running mate, Mike Minogue, had asked him to do.
“After careful consideration, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Lieutenant Governor,” Oliver said in a statement. “This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters. I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and I ask that my family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
He faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lane violation and speeding, New Bedford police said Sunday.
They said Oliver’s vehicle overturned after hitting five parked vehicles, two of which were badly damaged, near a shopping center on Dartmouth Street around 11:40 p.m. The candidate was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment and was later arrested.
It was not immediately clear whether Oliver had an attorney who could speak about the charges.
Saying he was “extremely disappointed,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue called on Oliver to suspend his campaign.
“Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no innocent people were hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence,” Minogue said in a statement.
He said he spoke with Oliver and told him “he had to put his family first”, offering to help Oliver ensure there wasn’t another incident like this.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement that he was informed of the incident this morning and called the allegations against Oliver “deeply concerning,” adding that “the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened.”
The head of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Chairwoman Amy Carnevale, said in a statement Sunday morning: “We have just learned of the car accident involving Shawn Oliver. We are awaiting additional information like everyone else.”
Gn headline
