Drunken-driving crash halts Massachusetts lieutenant governor campaign of Republican Shawn Oliver

A late-night crash in Massachusetts has thrown a Republican statewide campaign into turmoil just weeks before voters head to the polls. Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign on Sunday after he was arrested following a rollover crash that involved five parked vehicles, police said.

Oliver, 42, is also a New Bedford city councilor. According to the New Bedford Police Department, officers responded at around 11:40 p.m. on Saturday to 448 Dartmouth Street, where a vehicle had overturned after striking multiple parked vehicles.

Police said five parked vehicles were involved in the crash in total. Two of those five vehicles sustained extensive damage. Oliver was identified by police as the driver of the vehicle that overturned.

He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Following an investigation at the scene and at the hospital, officers arrested him.

Police said Oliver was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue publicly called on Oliver to suspend his campaign. Writing on X, Minogue said he was extremely disappointed, that Oliver was lucky to be alive and lucky that no innocent person was hurt, and that there is no excuse for driving under the influence.

Minogue, a businessman and military veteran, is challenging Democratic Governor Maura Healey. He said he had spoken with Oliver before demanding that he step aside, asking him to suspend his campaign immediately and adding that, when elected, he would formally ask for Oliver's resignation.

Oliver himself confirmed the suspension of his campaign on X, saying the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement posted on Facebook that the crash happened in the city's South End. He said he was made aware in the morning that City Councilor Oliver had been involved in an accident and taken into custody, thanked the police department for its prompt response, and said he was relieved that no one was seriously injured.

The Democratic mayor also called the allegations against Oliver deeply concerning and said the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened — turning the episode into a question of public accountability as well as a legal case.

Minogue urged Oliver to focus on his family, writing that Oliver is a father and grandfather who needs to put his family first and do the work to ensure this never happens again, and that he would help him if help is needed. Minogue added that as governor he would put the Commonwealth first, starting with accountability, something he said Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey.

The Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed that Oliver, who is employed by the department, has been placed on restricted work duty following his arrest. Department spokesman Scott J. Croteau said all facts and circumstances are being reviewed and that Oliver is currently assigned to the Massachusetts Treatment Center.

The suspension comes just weeks before the November election, in which Minogue is challenging Healey while Democratic Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll seeks another term. Attention now turns to the legal outcome of the charges against Oliver and to what happens next for his political future.