Boston Officer Was Drunk Driving At 65 MPH Before Crash: DA

BOSTON, MA — The off duty police officer who allegedly caused a devastating crash early on New Year’s Day was travelling at more than double the speed limit just before a crash that nearly killed the passenger of another car, Suffolk County prosecutors said today.

Domenic Columbo, 39, of West Roxbury, who was put on suspended earlier this year from his job as a Boston Police officer for the incident, was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court today on indictments charging him with two counts assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and single counts of operating under the influence causing serious injury.

Columbo was driving home at about 3:25 a.m. from his shift at the Youth Violence Strike Force base in his own Ford F1-350 pickup truck. He was allegedly travelling at a speed of about 65 miles per hour outbound on Columbia Road, a 25 mph zone.

The hanging traffic signals at the intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street were flashing yellow at this time, signaling drivers to slow down and use caution when approaching the intersection.

As Columbo was getting to the intersection a Honda Accord was headed outbound on Columbia Road, also approaching the intersection. As the Accord turned left onto Ceylon Street, Columbo’s pickup sped through the intersection and crashed into the passenger’s side, badly damaging both cars. Several witnesses called 911; the defendant did not.

The two people in that Honda, both 20-year-old Dorchester men, were transported to Boston Medical Center. The passenger was treated in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and organ lacerations. The driver sustained injuries that were less serious. His blood was drawn and showed no signs of alcohol in his system.

Colombo was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where blood drawn at about 4:10 am showed alcohol in his system. Testing by the State Police Office of Alcohol Testing indicated a blood ethanol concentration of between .119% and .125%; the legal limit for driving is .08%.

Colombo is scheduled to return to court on July 25.

Previously on Patch:

Boston Police Officer Slapped With New Charges In OUI Crash

Boston Police Officer Charged With Drunk Driving

Boston Police Officer Arraigned In OUI Crash

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