BOSTON, May 18, 2018—The driver who allegedly caused a devastating crash early on New Year’s Day was travelling at more than double the speed limit just prior to a collision that nearly killed the passenger of another vehicle, Suffolk County prosecutors said today.

DOMENIC COLUMBO, 39, who is a Boston Police officer, was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court today on indictments charging him with two counts assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and single counts of operating under the influence causing serious injury. The charges reflect a collision on Columbia Road in Dorchester.

Assistant District Attorney Greer Spatz told the court that Columbo was driving home at about 3:25 that morning from his shift at the Youth Violence Strike Force base in his personal vehicle, a Ford F1-350 pickup truck. He was allegedly travelling at a speed of about 65 miles per hour outbound on Columbia Road, a 25 mph zone.

The hanging traffic signals at the intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street were flashing yellow at this time, signaling drivers to slow down and use caution when approaching the intersection.

At about this time, the victims were travelling outbound on Columbia Road in a Honda Accord and also approaching the intersection. As the Accord turned left onto Ceylon Street, Columbo’s pickup sped through the intersection and crashed into the passenger’s side, badly damaging both vehicles. Several witnesses called 911; the defendant did not.

The victims, both 20-year-old Dorchester men, were transported to Boston Medical Center. The passenger was treated in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and organ lacerations. The driver sustained injuries that were less serious. His blood was drawn and showed no signs of alcohol in his system.

The defendant was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where blood drawn at about 4:10 am showed alcohol in his system. Testing by the State Police Office of Alcohol Testing indicated a blood ethanol concentration of between .119% and .125%; the legal limit for driving is .08%.

Michael Coffey is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Columbo was represented by attorney Jack Diamond. He will return to court on July 25.

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