Massachusetts Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Shawn Oliver was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol Saturday night, police said.
Around 11:40 p.m., the New Bedford Police Department responded to reports at 448 Dartmouth St. that a vehicle was overturned after striking multiple parked vehicles. Five parked vehicles were struck, with two sustaining “extensive damage,” police spokeswoman Holly Huntoon told the Washington Examiner.
Oliver, who also serves as a New Bedford city councilman, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment. After an investigation, Oliver was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding, according to police.
The 42-year-old’s running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, posted a statement on social media on Sunday, calling for Oliver’s resignation.
“I am extremely disappointed,” Minogue wrote on X. “Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence. After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation. 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. If he needs help with that, I will help him. As governor, I will put the Commonwealth first. That starts with accountability, something Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey.”
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also released a statement, calling the incident “concerning.”
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“This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody,” Mitchell wrote on Facebook. “I’m grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved 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.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Oliver’s office for comment.