
Westborough Police Officer William Kearney has been charged with OUI following a traffic stop on Jan. 10. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
NORTHBOROUGH – An officer with the Westborough Police Department is facing several charges after he was pulled over at the Southwest Cutoff in Northborough.
According to the statement of facts filed in Westborough District Court, on Friday, Jan. 10, around 10:24 p.m., a Northborough police officer observed a vehicle, driven by someone identified as William P. Kearney, of Northborough, cross over the solid white fog line near 20 Southwest Cutoff. After the vehicle reportedly crossed over the yellow double lines near the red light at Southwest Cutoff and West Main Street, the officer activated their lights and pulled over the vehicle.
According to the reports, Kearney showed signs of impairment.
“His eyes were bloodshot, red and glossy, his speech was slurred,” the officer wrote in the statement of facts.
The report said Kearney admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages, and there was “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his mouth as he spoke.”
Kearney agreed to field sobriety tests, failing two of them. He was taken into custody and brought to the Northborough Police Station for booking. Kearney said that his department-issued firearm was in the glovebox of his vehicle, and requested to have it locked. The firearm was loaded.
Kearney was charged with OUI liquor; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; marked lanes violation; and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.
According to Police Chief Todd Minardi, Kearney, who serves as a patrol officer, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case and internal investigation.
Kearney was arraigned in Westborough District Court on Monday, Jan. 13.
The Community Advocate has reached out his defense attorney, Richard Rafferty, for comment.