A Boston police officer was in court Friday facing charges of causing serious bodily injury while operating under the influence.
Officer Domenic Columbo, 40, of West Roxbury was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from the family of the victim.
According to the Suffolk district attorney's office, the crash happened in the early hours of New Year's Day. Columbo was off-duty, operating his personal vehicle, a 2012 Ford F150. Prosecutors say he struck a Honda Accord carrying two people at the intersection of Columbia Road and Ceylon Street.
The 20-year-old occupants of the Honda were injured in the crash. The passenger suffered serious injuries and both he and Columbo were hospitalized.
The driver of the Honda showed no signs of impairment, according to authorities.
Columbo's blood was drawn at the hospital after the crash. Authorities believe that based on his blood results, video evidence, and further expert investigation, Columbo was both too intoxicated to drive and going faster than the 25 mph speed limit.
Columbo was represented in court today by an attorney. He returns to court on March 23.
