After five-car wreck, shawn oliver, republican candidate for massachusetts lieutenant governor, arrested in alleged drunk driving crash

Crash and arrest

Police said Oliver’s SUV rolled over and hit several parked cars late Saturday night. Five vehicles were involved, and two sustained heavy damage. Oliver was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital for care. Police said he was arrested after investigators examined the crash scene and the hospital.

Campaign calls for suspension

Oliver represents Ward 3 on the New Bedford City Council and is seeking lieutenant governor as a Republican. His running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, urged him to leave the campaign.

Minogue said Oliver was fortunate to survive and that nobody uninvolved was hurt. He said he wanted Oliver to suspend his campaign immediately and said he would seek Oliver’s resignation if elected governor.

Minogue also said Oliver should prioritize his family and take steps to prevent a recurrence. He offered to assist if Oliver needed support.

Officials respond

Massachusetts Republican Party chairwoman Amy Carnevale also released a statement, though no details of it were provided. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he had learned that Oliver was in a South End crash and had been taken into custody.

Mitchell expressed gratitude for the police response and relief that nobody was seriously injured. He said the allegations were troubling and called on Oliver to explain what happened publicly.