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Trooper facing OUI charge in fatal Plymouth crash suspended without pay

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A Mass. State Trooper from Kingston was suspended without pay Wednesday amid allegations that he was drunk behind the wheel in a fatal Sept. 22 crash.

John Basler, 25, was cited Friday on charges of operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

During a hearing Wednesday, state police officials decided to suspend Basler as a result of the charges. A second status hearing could be held if more charges are filed against him.

The 25-year-old, who became a trooper in March 2012, did not attend the hearing.

Basler was injured and two Carver women, Susan and Juliet Macchi, died in the head-on crash. According to Juliet's obituary, she was on her way home from the Red Sox game with her mother.

Investigators claim Basler showed no signs of being under the influence of alcohol at the scene of the Plymouth wreck. He was charged several days later when police received blood alcohol test reports.

Basler, who was off-duty, was transported to South Shore Hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries. He was temporarily relieved of duty after state police officials learned he was being cited. His license to carry was also revoked.