Sister of man struck by allegedly drunk Taunton cop says brother badly injured

TAUNTON — Before a crash that left a Rehoboth motorcyclist with multiple broken bones and needing a breathing tube, a Taunton police sergeant repeatedly swerved his pickup over the center line, alarming the driver behind him so much that he took video, according to a Taunton police report.

Sgt. Shawn P. Smith, 49, of Raynham, was arraigned Monday in Taunton District Court on charges of drunk driving resulting in serious injury and negligent driving. The 20-year veteran, who was off duty at the time of the wreck, is on paid administrative leave and free on bond of $2,000, according to court documents.

Rehoboth's George Haskell, 52, is being treated at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Police said the man's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening — a description the man's family disputes.

"I'm a huge supporter of police, fire and the military," said Haskell's sister, Cheryl Shepley of Raynham. "I don't understand where they're getting 'non-life-threatening.'"

Shepley said every bone on her brother's left side is broken, including his feet, nose, cheek, clavicle and shoulder blade. He's undergoing surgery Tuesday on his ribs so that a breathing tube may be removed. Haskell has also had two brain bleeds, though Shepley said he does not appear to have brain damage or spinal injuries.

Newly obtained Taunton police reports provide details of the incident. The following narrative is drawn from reports filed by Police Chief Ed Walsh and Lt. Paul Taber:

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Taber reports being dispatched to the crash scene at 1:34 a.m. on Sunday. On Harvey Street near South Crane Avenue, Taber found a motorcycle on its side and the rider on the ground next to it. Norton Police Officer Janna Perez was already on scene. She reported smelling alcohol on the breath of the truck driver, and had handcuffed him and put him in her cruiser.

One witness told police he was driving behind the truck and took a 26-second video of the truck driving erratically. Walsh reports that the video begins on Harvey Street and Libby Lane, ending before the crash.

"It shows Smith driving primarily in the opposite travel lane," Walsh wrote in his report.

The man who took the video said he saw Smith's truck sideswipe the motorcycle and eventually stop. The man pulled his vehicle in front of the truck to prevent it from leaving the scene.

Shepley, brother of the motorcyclist, said if there had not been witnesses, she worries Smith would have left.

Walsh also interviewed a man who was riding his motorcycle ahead of Haskell. He told police he saw Haskell's motorcycle lights circling in his mirror, so he turned around and went back to the crash scene.

Taber reports immediately recognizing the truck as belonging to his fellow officer Smith. The truck had damage to its left front fender and the left side of the front bumper. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they are different parts of a vehicle.

Taunton police decided Massachusetts State Police should do the investigation, given that a TPD officer was involved. Walsh arrived on scene about 2:15 a.m., he reported.

Walsh asked Perez to perform field sobriety tests on Smith, which he failed in the opinion of both Perez and Walsh. It isn't clear if a Breathalyzer blood alcohol test was given.

Taber handcuffed Smith and took him to Taunton Police Department headquarters on Summer Street for booking.

As a condition of Smith's release, the court requires him to be alcohol-free, not to drive and to have no contact with witnesses.

Shepley said her brother is a licensed plumber who was currently working security in Quincy.

Massachusetts State Police and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office are assisting Taunton police in the investigation.

Reporter Desmond Bernal contributed to this report. Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@tauntongazette.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Taunton Daily Gazette.