Mass. police officer placed on leave following high-speed, head-on collision, chief says

A Massachusetts police officer was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into a multi-vehicle crash this weekend in which speed was allegedly a factor.

The off-duty Marshfield officer, who authorities have not publicly identified, was the driver of a Jeep involved in the serious crash on Plain Street shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, according to a release from Marshfield Police Chief Phillip A. Tavares.

Marshfield police are pursuing the following criminal charges against the officer: reckless operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation (two counts), and speeding. Tavares said additional charges could follow pending further investigation, as well as the certified review of the toxicology report from the State Police Crime Lab.

Police believe that the officer was driving the Jeep westbound on Route 139 “at a high rate of speed and passed a tow truck by crossing over solid double yellow lines into the eastbound lane,” according to the preliminary investigation. “The Jeep then attempted to pass a second vehicle, a Hyundai Elantra, again crossing the solid double yellow lines, and struck an eastbound Honda Civic head-on.”

The officer was able to exit the Jeep on his own, but the driver of the Honda Civic was trapped inside their vehicle until Marshfield fire personnel extricated them using hydraulic rescue tools. First responders transported both drivers to area hospitals with serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the release noted.

Authorities said the Hyundai was also hit during the crash, but the driver was not injured.

“This department is committed to full transparency and accountability,” Tavares said of the off-duty officer involved in the crash. “A full and complete investigation is being conducted into this incident. The fact that the operator was a police officer will not alter the scope, direction or integrity of this investigation in any way.”

Authorities notified the Massachusetts POST Commission of the incident. In addition to a criminal investigation, an independent third-party organization will conduct an internal investigation, the chief said.

“No matter who you are or what position you hold, conduct that endangers the public will be addressed through the appropriate legal process,” Tavares said.

The chief also shared concern and sympathy for the victims and their families in the note.

The crash remains under investigation by the Marshfield Police Department and State Police.