Off-duty trooper facing DUI in Route 1 crash suspended indefinitely

REVERE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- An off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper accused of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in a Route 1 crash was suspended without pay indefinitely Tuesday.

Shawn D'Amato was arraigned Monday from his hospital bed at Mass. General Hospital for his alleged connection to a crash involving another on-duty trooper in Revere. The 43-year-old is facing charges that include operating under the influence of alcohol, operating under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and obstructing an emergency vehicle.

Officials say Trooper John Phonesavanh was sitting inside of his cruiser writing a citation just before 12:45 a.m. Monday when he was hit from behind, sending his cruiser into the back of a car he had stopped on Route 1 in Revere. Investigators allege D'Amato hit Phonesvanh with such force that his car spun around and stopped in a northward direction.

According to troopers who responded to the accident, D'Amato told them his name was Charlie, and said his last name was an expletive. Troopers said D'Amato's breath allegedly smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred.

According to the District Attorney's office, D'Amato told emergency medical technicians that he had smoked crack cocaine within the past hour, and EMTs noticed apparent track marks on his arms, suggesting intravenous drug use.

D'Amato was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Mass. General Hospital after the crash. The on-duty trooper and the driver of the car he pulled over, an unidentified 29-year-old Chelsea man, were also transported to Mass. General with non-life threatening injuries. They have since been released.

A judge released D'Amato on his own recognizance with a no-driving order, and his next court date was set for January 10.

Cox Media Group