An off-duty Marshfield police officer is set to appear in Plymouth District Court on March 4, 2026, after investigators say he was intoxicated when his Jeep crossed solid double-yellow lines and smashed head-on into another vehicle on Route 139. The Jan. 11 crash left the other driver with extensive injuries and triggered both criminal and internal investigations. Marshfield police have identified the officer as Richard Perry and placed him on administrative leave while the inquiry continues.
How Investigators Say the Crash Unfolded
According to a preliminary investigation by the Marshfield Police Department, Perry’s Jeep was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed around 9:09 p.m. when it crossed the solid double-yellow lines to pass a tow truck. Investigators say the Jeep then tried to pass a Hyundai Elantra and instead struck an eastbound Honda Civic head-on, with the Elantra also hit in the chaos. First responders arrived to find a multi-vehicle scene, including one car on its roof. Both the Jeep’s driver and the Honda’s driver were taken to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a press release from the Marshfield Police Department.
Victim’s Condition and Attorney Statement
The Honda driver, identified by her attorney as Grace Owen, was trapped in her vehicle and had to be cut free by firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools. Her attorney, Adam Becker of the Keches Law Group, said Owen has already undergone three surgeries, including a 12-hour operation, and remains hospitalized as an inpatient, as reported by NBC Boston.
Charges and Department Response
Marshfield police say they are seeking criminal charges that include operating under the influence while causing serious bodily injury, reckless operation, two counts of marked-lanes violation and speeding. They said the felony OUI charge was added after results came back from the State Police crime lab. Chief Phillip A. Tavares has placed Perry on administrative leave and says an independent third-party organization will handle the department’s internal review. “This department is committed to full transparency and accountability,” Tavares said in the department’s press release.
Court Schedule and Blood-Alcohol Level
Perry’s arraignment was originally scheduled for Feb. 5 but was delayed after the state filed a motion to continue so a special assistant district attorney from another county could be appointed. According to court filings, the arraignment is now set for March 4, 2026. Court records also indicate a blood-alcohol concentration of about 0.20%, as reported by The Patriot Ledger.
What Comes Next
The criminal case will move forward in Plymouth District Court, where any conviction could bring serious penalties. Separately, the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, which has the authority to suspend or revoke an officer’s certification, has been notified in keeping with the commission’s public guidance. The investigation remains active and involves Marshfield police working with the Massachusetts State Police and the Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation, according to local reporting. Prosecutors are expected to decide whether to seek any additional charges after they finish reviewing the evidence.
