Marshfield Police Officer Richard Perry is on paid administrative leave while an investigation is underway about his involvement in a three-car crash on Route 139 on Thursday, January 15. Perry and another driver involved in the collision were seriously injured in the accident.
The police department is seeking criminal charges against Perry for Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Marked Lanes Violation, Speed Greater than Reasonable and Proper, and Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol while causing serious bodily injury, a felony.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Perry was allegedly driving westbound and crossed onto the wrong side of the street in order to pass a Hyundai Elantra in front of him around 9:00 p.m. While on the wrong side of the street, he allegedly collided head-on with a Honda Civic, and the Hyundai Elantra was also struck during the collision.
Perry was able to exit his vehicle, and the Marshfield Fire Department removed the driver of the Honda Civic from their vehicle. First responders transported both of them to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Hyundai Elantra was not injured.
Perry was off-duty at the time of the crash.
“This department is committed to full transparency and accountability," Police Chief Phillip Tavares said in a statement. "A full and complete investigation is being conducted into this incident. The fact that the operator was a police officer will not alter the scope, direction, or integrity of this investigation in any way."
The names of the other drivers involved in the crash are unknown.
A conviction for reckless operation of a motor vehicle carries a sentence of two weeks to two years of imprisonment and/or a fine of $20 to $200. A conviction of operating under the influence of alcohol while causing serious bodily injury carries a sentence of six months to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of $5,000. No hearings on this matter are scheduled at this time.
The incident is still under investigation.