In a car crash or other incident involving multiple vehicles the police may investigate whether the driver of any of the vehicles is under the influence of or intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, and are not limited to investigating and arresting only the driver who was at fault in the accident, for example.
In Massachusetts, when a car crash or multi-vehicle incident occurs, law enforcement officers have the authority to investigate all drivers involved for potential impairment due to alcohol or drugs, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This means that any driver, not just the one who caused the accident, can be subject to field sobriety tests, breathalyzer tests, or other assessments if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence. If a driver is found to be intoxicated, they can be arrested and charged with operating under the influence (OUI), which is the term used in Massachusetts for what is commonly referred to as DUI or DWI in other states. The Commonwealth's OUI laws are codified in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24. These laws are designed to enhance public safety by removing impaired drivers from the roads, and they apply to all drivers involved in an accident, not just those at fault.