Councilor pleads not guilty to drunk driving

New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver pleaded not guilty Monday morning to operating under the influence and related charges in New Bedford District Court.

Four charges filed against Oliver

Oliver pleaded not guilty to operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and a marked lanes violation.

Saturday night crash in New Bedford

The crash occurred Saturday around eleven forty pm on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford. Oliver's overturned car damaged five vehicles, two sustaining extensive damage.

Oliver suspended campaign Sunday

Oliver suspended his campaign for lieutenant governor Sunday, hours after his release from Ash Street Jail. He was the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue.

Minogue calls for resignation if elected

Mike Minogue said Sunday that if he is elected governor, he would ask Oliver to resign as his running mate.

“if he is elected, he would ask Oliver to resign”

Oliver placed on restricted work duty

Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty at the Massachusetts Treatment Center while facts and circumstances are reviewed, according to the Department of Correction.

Police describe scene and Oliver's condition

Officers found Oliver's Lincoln Navigator upside down with no one inside. Oliver had bloodshot and glassy eyes, smelled like alcohol, and told police he had at least two alcoholic beverages at Black Bass Grill.

“at least 2 alcoholic beverages earlier in the night at Black Bass Grill”

Oliver refused blood test after crash

Oliver was unable to perform sobriety tests because of his injuries and refused an evidentiary blood draw, according to police reports.

Next court date set for November

The court released Oliver on personal recognizance without bail on the condition he not drive while his case is pending. His next court date is November sixteenth.