The recently graduated Massachusetts State Police trooper who allegedly had an open Bud Light and a half-empty bottle of vodka when he crashed into another vehicle has decided to leave the force, according to authorities.
James Doran, 27, turned in his resignation on Wednesday, just days after Tewksbury Police responded to the alleged drunk driving incident late Sunday night, a State Police spokesperson said.
Doran, of the 90th Recruit Training Troop, graduated from the State Police Academy on Oct. 9. He did not last three weeks on the job.
All new troopers undergo a 12-month probationary period following graduation, State Police said.
Under State Police policy, troopers are ineligible to be reinstated when they are separated from service after being criminally charged. Doran was charged with operating under the influence of liquor and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
The freshly minted trooper was initially placed on administrative leave after the Sunday night alleged drunken incident, which Tewksbury Police responded to just after 11 in the area of Main Street and Clark Road for reports of a motor vehicle accident.
Officers identified Doran as the driver of one of the vehicles, taking him into custody after they determined he had been operating under the influence. They allegedly found an open Bud Light and a half-empty bottle of vodka in the car.
MSP Spokesperson Tim McGuirk said the misconduct is being reported to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Attorney Robert Normandin, representing Doran, told Boston.com that a hearing had been scheduled to determine his client’s status, but “he decided that it would be more appropriate for him to just resign from the position.”
“It’s a shame that it happened but I believe this case will end up being resolved in his favor, but that’s going to be for a future court date,” Normandin told Boston.com on Wednesday. “The state is going to miss the services of a very talented trooper.”
Doran and a passenger were unsteady on their feet, had slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol, when police responded to the scene, according to an incident report. Doran allegedly told police he had a few drinks and refused sobriety tests.
Doran pleaded not guilty to both charges during his arraignment in Lowell District Court on Monday. His driver’s license has been suspended for 180 days. He was released on personal recognizance on the condition that he does not consume alcohol.
The driver and passenger in the other vehicle were taken to the hospital for evaluation, police said.