DA: Boston officer charged in drunken crash was going twice the speed limit

BOSTON — A Boston police officer accused of drunken causing a crash that nearly killed a passenger was driving more than twice the speed limit, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, when former officer Domenic Columbo, 39, was allegedly drunk and crashed into a car with two men inside, seriously injuring 21-year-old Jose Teixeira.

Columbo was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and operating under the influence causing serious injury in court Friday.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said the officer needs to be held accountable if he is convicted of making the decision to get behind the wheel that drunk.

Commissioner Evans said his investigators discovered Columbo was well over the legal alcohol limit, and that he failed to help the two people he crashed into.

"From the minute that incident happened we were investigating that incident," said Commissioner Evans. "As soon as the blood work came back we've been transparent, we brought the charges right away.

Columbo entered pleas of not guilty on all four indictments involving the drinking and driving crash.

The DA's office says Columbo was driving home shortly after 3 a.m. that morning in his Ford F-350 pickup tuck about 65 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone when the crash happened.

The intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street, where the crash happened, had flashing yellow lights in it, according to court information. Prosecutors say Columbo failed to slow down as the lights indicate and slammed into the passenger side of the vehicle.

The men in the other car were rushed to Boston Medical center after witnesses called 911. The DA said Columbo did not call 911.

Columbo was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where prosecutors say his blood alcohol concentration at after 4 a.m. was about  .120 -- well above the .08 limit.

In February, protesters claimed Columbo was given special treatment at his arraignment when prosecutors did not object to his pre-trial release on personal recognizance.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney said Columbo did not receive preferential treatment.

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The family of the driver said he is doing okay. The biggest concern is for the passenger, who's attorney says suffered the most injuries and says his client still has a way to go.

"If you chose to drink and drive then you have to pay the consequences," said Commissioner Evans.

Commissioner Evans added that because the officer is indicted on the charges, he is on leave without pay now - previously he was suspended without pay. This case goes back to court next month.

Cox Media Group