Massachusetts Lt. Governor Candidate Pleads Not Guilty to OUI Charge

New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver pleaded not guilty Monday morning in New Bedford District Court to a charge of operating under the influence of alcohol, along with charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and a marked lanes violation. The plea follows a weekend car crash and has led Oliver to suspend his campaign for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.

Oliver was released on personal recognizance, with the court stipulating he not drive while his case is pending. His next court date is scheduled for November 16.

The crash occurred Saturday around 11:40 p.m. on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford, involving an overturned vehicle that damaged five other cars. Police spokesperson Holly Huntoon stated that two of the damaged vehicles sustained extensive damage.

Oliver, 42, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment of injuries before being placed under arrest. He suspended his campaign for lieutenant governor on Sunday, a day after his release from Ash Street Jail. Oliver is currently on the ballot as the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue. Minogue has stated that if elected, he would ask Oliver to resign.

Scott Croteau, a spokesperson for the state’s Department of Correction, confirmed that Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty at his job at the Massachusetts Treatment Center pending a review of the circumstances. The facility in Bridgewater houses criminally sentenced male sex offenders and individuals civilly committed as sexually dangerous persons.

According to police reports, officers arriving at the scene found Oliver's Lincoln Navigator overturned with no one inside. Nearby, a Toyota Camry sustained extensive damage, pushed onto the curb and sidewalk. A second red Camry also had significant damage and had collided with another parked vehicle. In total, five cars were impacted.

Officer Andrew Parker encountered Oliver on the sidewalk, bleeding from a cut behind his ear. Oliver stated he was feeling "OK" and that it had been "a long day." He mentioned he was heading home after meeting friends in Dartmouth.

Oliver inquired twice about the well-being of others and told the officer he had been "burning both ends of the wick."

A witness, who requested anonymity, told Officer Orlando Franco that they were behind Oliver's vehicle at a traffic light on Dartmouth Street. The witness reported that Oliver's Navigator remained stopped after the light turned green, prompting the witness to reverse their vehicle to ensure the light was indeed green. Subsequently, the Navigator accelerated, veered erratically, and then struck parked cars before flipping over.

At St. Luke's Hospital, Oliver told Officer Franco that he had consumed at least two alcoholic beverages earlier that evening at Black Bass Grill and had then visited a friend's house in Dartmouth. Franco observed that Oliver's eyes were bloodshot and glassy and that he smelled of alcohol.

Oliver was informed he was under arrest and handcuffed to the hospital bed. Police reports indicate he vomited before this could occur. Due to his injuries, Oliver was unable to perform sobriety tests and refused an evidentiary blood draw.

Court records from Mattapoisett show Oliver faced charges in 2003 related to operating an unregistered motor vehicle and a "number plate violation to conceal identity." In that case, a judge found sufficient facts but continued the case without a guilty finding, a disposition that typically results from completing probation. Records indicate Oliver paid court costs and a monthly probation service fee.