BOSTON, March 29, 2018—The Suffolk County Grand Jury late yesterday returned indictments charging a police officer with new felony offenses related to a crash involving his personal vehicle in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments charge DOMENIC COLUMBO (D.O.B. 11/22/78), who is a Boston Police officer, with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – a motor vehicle – and single counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Columbo had previously been charged only with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury.

Columbo was operating his personal vehicle, a 2012 Ford F150, when he allegedly struck a Honda Accord at the intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street in the early morning hours of Jan. 1. The collision injured the Honda’s two 20-year-old occupants; the passenger suffered a traumatic brain injury but survived.

“His injuries are severe and long-lasting,” Conley said. “They will likely change the course of his life and the lives of those who love him. And the cause of those injuries, we allege, was one man’s decision to drink and drive.”

The operator of the Honda, who was treated for abrasions and lacerations, did not show signs of impairment. Columbo’s blood was drawn at the hospital, where he was treated for his own injuries. That blood sample was seized pursuant to a search warrant and tested by the State Police Crime Laboratory, which suggested a blood-alcohol content of greater than .11, well over the legal limit to drive.

Based on video evidence, a forensic examination of Columbo’s vehicle, and further investigation by collision reconstruction experts, investigators also believe he was operating at a speed higher than the 25 mile per hour limit at the time of the collision.

Columbo’s next appearance in Dorchester Municipal Court is April 24. He will likely be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on that date. He is represented by attorney Jack Diamond.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.