Woman charged with OUI in connection to crash that injured Dighton officer

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The Taunton Police Department announced Tuesday that a woman is facing charges in connection to a crash that injured a Dighton police officer and severely damaged their cruiser.

Police said 30-year-old Michelle Sousa, of Taunton has been charged with marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, driving under the influence of liquor resulting in serious injury and negligent operation, speeding and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Officials said that on Monday, October 9, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Taunton police were dispatched to the area of Winthrop and Burt Streets for a report of a car crash involving a police cruiser.

When responders arrived at the scene, they said they found the Dighton police cruiser heavily damaged with no driver’s-side door and its airbags fully deployed. There was also a brown 2014 Honda CR-V with significant damage to its drivers side with all airbags deployed as well.

First responders also located a Brown 2014 Honda CRV with significant damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle and airbags deployed. (Photo Courtesy Taunton Police Department)

Police said they learned that the Dighton officer was driving to a call with his lights activated when a CR-V, traveling at a high rate of speed, allegedly crossed over the double-yellow line and struck the cruiser.

The Dighton officer was taken to an area hospital by ambulance and has since been treated and released. Sousa was also taken to a hospital for treatment.

Further investigation revealed that there was a half-empty bottle of liquor in Sousa’s car, giving police probable cause to charge her with operating under the influence of liquor.

Sousa was later released from the hospital and taken to the Taunton Police Department for booking. She was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Taunton District Court.