Report: Cop was over limit in crash
An off-duty Hub officer involved in a near-fatal New Year’s Day crash was “over the legal limit of alcohol” while behind the wheel during a collision that left a man with a “life threatening brain injury,” a police report obtained by the Herald states.
Boston police Officer Domenic A. Columbo, 39, had his blood drawn at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a 3:30 a.m. Jan. 1 crash at Columbia Road and Ceylon Street that left two 20-year-old men injured, according to an unredacted police incident report.
Police had redacted portions of a report the Herald had previously obtained, including sections that said Columbo was believed to be legally drunk while driving. Also redacted were the extent of the injuries to one of the men, who was a passenger in a Honda Accord that was reportedly hit by Columbo’s Ford F-150 pickup.
“For his medical treatment, personnel at BWH drew blood from Columbo that was analyzed. Columbo’s medical records from BWH were subpoenaed by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. According to the medical records received on Jan. 5, 2018, Columbo’s Ethanol Serum level was determined to be 141 mg/dl ... this level is over the legal limit of alcohol to operate a motor vehicle,” the report states.
It goes on to say the man most seriously hurt in the crash had injuries that included: “Life threatening brain injury requiring surgery ... laceration to his kidney and spleen requiring surgery, pelvis and rib fractures requiring surgery and a fractured right femur requiring surgery.”
Columbo, a six-year veteran, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Neither could the two injured men, who were named in the unredacted report.
The report said the man driving the Accord had a possible clavicle fracture. That man had his blood drawn and an analysis found “no ethanol detected,” the report said.
Columbo suffered lacerations to his forehead, scalp and a fractured vertebra. He was released from the hospital Jan. 2, the report said.
He has been placed on paid leave, police said. He earned more than $166,000 in 2016, records show.
Boston police did not respond yesterday to a request for comment on the unredacted report. However, Commissioner William B. Evans released a statement Jan. 8 announcing his department filed a complaint charging Columbo with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury. A clerkmagistrate’s hearing, scheduled for Feb. 1, will determine whether Columbo will face that charge.
Evans said in the statement released last week, “My officers are expected to abide by the same laws they are sworn to uphold.”
Lt. Detective Michael McCarthy has told the Herald over email the Internal Affairs Division launched an ongoing investigation that included “circumstances leading up to the accident.”