LYNN — Lynn Police Lt. James Shinnick was arrested and charged with operating under the influence after a minor car crash in Peabody early Sunday morning.
State Police responded to a two-car crash on Route 1 southbound shortly before 12:30 a.m.
Investigators determined that Shinnick lost control of his Toyota Camry as he tried to make a lane change and veered across the middle and right lanes, clipping the front end of a Honda Accord, which was driven by a Salem man, state police said.
Shinnick, 54, continued in his car off the road to the right, coming to a rest at a construction site. Troopers suspected that he was under the influence, but Shinnick refused to take a breathalyzer test, State Police said.
Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary told WBZ-TV that Shinnick performs administrative duties for the department, and his duty status will be determined once they have finished investigating his arrest. He has reportedly been with the department for 24 years.
After booking at the Danvers State Police barracks, Shinnick was released on personal recognizance pending his arraignment at Peabody District Court on Thursday morning.
