Massachusetts GOP Lieutenant Governor Candidate Suspends Campaign After DUI Crash

Clear Facts

• Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts, was arrested after a rollover crash involving five parked vehicles.
• Oliver was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation, marked lanes violation, and speeding.
• Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue called on Oliver to suspend his campaign and step aside immediately.

Shawn Oliver, 42, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor and a New Bedford city councilor, suspended his campaign on Sunday. The decision followed his arrest after a late-night rollover crash that damaged five parked vehicles.

Officers responded around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to 448 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford, where a vehicle had overturned after striking multiple parked cars, according to the New Bedford Police Department. Two of the five parked vehicles sustained extensive damage.

Oliver, identified by police as the driver, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Following an investigation at the scene and at the hospital, officers arrested Oliver and charged him with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding.

“I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt,” Mike Minogue wrote on X. “There is no excuse for driving under the influence.”

Minogue, a businessman and military veteran challenging Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, said he spoke with Oliver before demanding he step aside. “After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation,” he wrote.

Oliver confirmed his campaign suspension on X, stating the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said the crash happened in the city’s South End and expressed relief that no one was seriously injured.

“The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened,” Mitchell said.

Minogue urged Oliver to focus on his family and take steps to prevent another incident. “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,” Minogue wrote. “If he needs help with that, I will help him.”

Minogue also took aim at his Democratic opponent, writing, “As governor, I will put the Commonwealth first. That starts with accountability, something Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey.”

The Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed that Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor employed by the department, has been placed on restricted work duty following his arrest. The campaign suspension comes just weeks before the November election, with Minogue challenging Healey and Democratic Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll seeking another term.

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