Thursday, 4:30 PM
Boston firefighter charged with wrong-way DUI on I-495
By John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
State Police charged a Boston firefighter with drunken driving early this morning after they accused Matthew McCaffrey of driving a pickup truck the wrong way on northbound Interstate 495, hitting two cars, and forcing the roadway to close for almost three hours.
The driver of a 2006 Hyundai Sedan who police said McCaffrey hit head-on was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries. State police did not release his name because his family had not been notified about the crash.
McCaffrey is assigned to Engine 41 in Allston, according to Stephen MacDonald, a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department. McCaffrey has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges against him, MacDonald said.
Police charged McCaffrey, 29, of West Roxbury, with a host of infractions, including operating under the influence of alcohol and causing serious injuries. He was taken to Milford Hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released into the custody of State Police. He was arraigned today in Wrentham District Court.
According to a State Police press release, McCaffrey was driving the 2002 Chevrolet Pickup truck at about 3 a.m. near Exit 15 in Wrentham. McCaffrey, police allege, was driving south in the northbound lanes when he rammed the Hyundai and then hit a 2006 Chevrolet Sedan.
The driver of the Chevrolet Sedan, Kimba Ngoy, 43, of Milford, was also taken to Milford Hospital with minor injuries.
Northbound I-495 remained closed until about 6 a.m., police said.
McCaffrey was also charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation, operating to endanger, wrong-way operation, and speeding. The crash remains under investigation.
