Massachusetts DUI Attorney Blog

A 46-year-old woman is facing drunk driving charges in Quincy after authorities say she crashed into a police cruiser and seriously injured a state trooper on I-93, according to the Boston Globe.

These are very serious cases and an OUI defense lawyer in Quincy should be contacted as soon as possible after the accident. Last summer, Massachusetts State Police began increased enforcement after a trooper was killed. At least 20 troopers have been injured in each of the last two years as a result of accidents with alleged drunk drivers.

We certainly hope the trooper in this case makes a complete recovery. And, of course, we appreciate the men and women of the highway patrol who work to keep our roads safe and to assist motorists in the event of an emergency. But the truth of the matter is that motorists rarely are given the benefit of the doubt in an accident with a law enforcement officer. And a stopped emergency vehicle can back up traffic, cause distractions and increase the risk of an accident. Those two factors go a long way toward explaining why dozens of motorists are facing Massachusetts OUI charges in connection with traffic crashes involving troopers.

The accused motorist in this case, Leslie K. Minasian, of East Bridgewater, walked out of Quincy District Court after posting $6,500 bail. It is her second-offense Massachusetts OUI. The media reports her license was suspended in 1988 after she refused a breath test.

Exit 5 in Randolph was where the accident occurred. Police say the left lane was closed and the 41-year-old trooper was working a construction detail when the defendant rear-ended his cruiser with a Land Rover at about 2:30 a.m.

She was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, second offense; operating under the influence of liquor causing serious injury; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle; and a marked lanes violation.