State trooper facing OUI, drug charges

BOSTON – An off-duty state trooper was arraigned in his hospital bed Monday after he was allegedly high on crack and drunk when he drove into a state police cruiser conducting a stop on Route 1 in Revere, injuring both his colleague and a civilian.”As Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police I am angered, dismayed and saddened by the alleged conduct of any member of this department who would recklessly risk the lives and safety of anyone, whether that be another police officer or an innocent member of the community we are sworn to protect,” Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Massachusetts State Police superintendent, said in a statement to The Daily Item.”I speak for every member of this department when I say that this is not who we are; that we take an oath to uphold the law and ensure that anyone who commits such senseless, criminal acts will be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law as well as fully accountable to the rules of this department.”Shawn D’Amato, 42, was arraigned at Massachusetts General Hospital Monday on charges of operating under the influence of liquor; operating under the influence of drugs; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; and failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle.D’Amato, who joined the Massachusetts State Police in May 1994, was relieved of duty and will be subject to an internal duty status hearing later this week, state police said in an earlier press release.A state trooper was in his cruiser writing a ticket for a 29-year-old Chelsea resident pulled over into the breakdown lane of Route 1 southbound in Revere, when D’Amato allegedly drove his Toyota Corolla into the rear of the cruiser, according to a press release from Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office.The cruiser was pushed into the rear of the other vehicle, and D’Amato’s vehicle spun into the roadway, facing traffic, police said.The trooper broke open the Corolla’s windows and moved the unconscious D’Amato to the breakdown lane, according to Conley. The driver of the Honda – who was being ticketed for driving with a suspended license – complained of pain to his back and neck, and was taken to Mass. General, according to Conley. The trooper conducting the stop suffered facial injuries and also went to the hospital, according to Conley. Authorities said both alleged victims were treated and released.”D’Amato allegedly seemed unable to say where he was coming from or where he was going when he crashed,” Conley said. “When asked his name, he allegedly replied, ?Charlie,’ and when asked for his last name, he allegedly offered an expletive. D’Amato allegedly told emergency medical technicians that he had smoked crack cocaine within the past hour.”Police also allegedly noted D’Amato smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred. D’Amato also allegedly had track marks on his arms.Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Christopher Henry recommended D’Amato be held on $2,000 cash bail and be ordered not to drive, according to Conley. Chelsea District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes released D’Amato on his own recognizance but told him not to drive.D’Amato remained at Mass. General as of Monday evening, according to Conley. His attorney could not be reached for comment.Alben said the state police will “aggressively pursue justice” in this, as in every case.”The mixing of alcohol and/or controlled substances with the operation of a motor vehicle is not just irresponsible, it is a reckless and deliberate culmination of bad decision making that has contributed to unspeakable loss of lives, life-altering injuries and incomprehensible damage to people and families,” Alben said. “The men and women of the Massachusetts State Police – every one of us – have witnessed such tragedies up close and as personal as it can be experienced. We know the consequences.”