Katie Castellani
State House News Service
Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence late Saturday night, authorities said, leading his running mate Mike Minogue to call on Oliver to suspend his campaign.
At approximately 11:40 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to Dartmouth Street for a reported vehicle crash involving one that had overturned after hitting multiple parked vehicles, Holly Huntoon, spokesperson for the New Bedford Police Department said. Five parked vehicles were involved in the crash, including two that "sustained extensive damage."
Oliver was brought to St. Luke's Hospital for his injuries. After an investigation, Oliver, 42, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a "marked lanes violation" and speeding, Huntoon said. Oliver is a city councilor in New Bedford.
Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux told the News Service that Oliver was released from the Ash Street Jail at around 9:30 a.m. Sunday – less than three hours after he was booked at approximately 6:46 a.m.
Oliver is set to be arraigned in a New Bedford court Monday morning, Heroux said.
Oliver's arrest comes less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 general election in which he and Minogue are challenging Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll for the corner office.
Minogue called on Oliver to suspend his campaign immediately.
"I am extremely disappointed," Minogue said in a statement released around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. "Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence."
"After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation," Minogue continued. "Shawn is a father and grandfather, and he needs to put his family first. He needs to do the work to ensure this never happens again. If he needs help with that, I will help him."
Oliver originally launched his campaign as a running mate for Brian Shortsleeve, who lost the GOP primary to Minogue. Oliver was the only Republican left on the lieutenant governor ballot by the time the Sept. 1 primary took place.
In a statement released at around 10:20 a.m., Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale said, "we just learned of the car accident involving Shawn Oliver. We are awaiting additional information as everyone else."
