No charges will be filed against Norfolk County DA Morrissey following crash

QUINCY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) — The Norfolk district attorney will not face criminal charges stemming from a three-vehicle crash last month that landed him and three others in the hospital, a clerk magistrate determined Monday.

District Attorney Michael Morrissey said after a closed-door hearing in Quincy District Court that he passed out as a result of dehydration and fatigue on one of the hottest days of the year.

According to police, Morrissey's car crossed the center line on July 16 as he was in Milton on his way home and collided with two other vehicles. Another vehicle went off the road to avoid a collision. Morrissey spent two days in the hospital.

He said soon after the accident that he had felt lightheaded and dizzy before losing consciousness.

Milton police had sought a criminal charge of operating to endanger. A citation for a marked lanes violation stood.

A clerk magistrate from Worcester heard the case to avoid a possible conflict of interest because Morrissey's office works closely with officials in Quincy District Court.

Morrissey, 58, also released medical records and cellphone records showing that he had a "vasovagal syncope ... which caused me to lose control of my vehicle."

He said police had found that cellphone use and speed were not factors in the crash. A blood-alcohol test determined that alcohol was not a factor.

Morrissey said he was grateful that no one was more seriously injured.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group