Taunton Police Sergeant Charged With OUI After Crash Injures Man

TAUNTON, MA — A Taunton police sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested early Sunday morning when a drunk driving crash seriously injured a motorcyclist.

Sgt. Shawn Smith, 49, of Raynham, was charged with OUI causing serious injury after a crash between his pickup truck and a motorcycle.

Chief Edward J. Walsh says Smith was off-duty when the crash happened on Harvey Street near South Crane Avenue at 1:30 a.m.

The motorcyclist, a 52-year-old Rehoboth man suffered serious injuries in the crash and was rushed to a nearby hospital before being transported to Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Walsh says his injuries are serious but believed to be non-life-threatening.

Police say Smith has been a member of the Taunton Police Department since 2000.

Smith was charged with OUI liquor causing serious injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle and is expected to be arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court.

The investigation remains under active investigation with assistance by State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.