Marshfield Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty in Serious OUI Crash Case
Marshfield Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty in Serious OUI Crash Case
Marshfield, Massachusetts — March 4, 2026
A Marshfield police officer accused of driving under the influence and causing a serious crash entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday in Plymouth District Court, where his case continues to unfold.
48-year-old Officer Richard Perry, an off-duty member of the Marshfield Police Department, appeared in court facing multiple criminal charges tied to a head-on collision on Route 139 that occurred on January 11. Prosecutors allege Perry’s blood-alcohol level was approximately 0.20% — more than twice the legal limit — when he crossed solid double-yellow lines in his Jeep and hit an oncoming vehicle.
Crash and Injuries
The collision involved Perry’s Jeep, a Honda Civic and a Hyundai Elantra. The driver of the Civic, 24-year-old Grace Owen, suffered extensive injuries, including a brain bleed, broken femur, dislocated hip, broken ribs and other trauma, and remains hospitalized. She was trapped in her vehicle and had to be freed by firefighters.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Perry is charged with:
- Operating Under the Influence (OUI) causing serious bodily injury
- Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
- Marked lanes violations
- Speeding greater than reasonable and proper
His defense team previously made a plea offer, but a judge declined to accept it because the victim had not yet delivered an impact statement in court. Perry formally entered a not-guilty plea to all charges at Wednesday’s arraignment.
The judge ordered that Perry be released on his own recognizance and imposed conditions prohibiting him from drinking alcohol or driving until the next hearing. His next court date is scheduled for March 30, 2026, when the case will proceed.
Department Response
Perry has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case. Marshfield police officials have stated they are cooperating with investigators and emphasize that the officer’s status will be reviewed as the legal process continues.
Meanwhile, Owen’s family has expressed that she faces a long recovery ahead. Her injuries have profoundly impacted her life and that of her loved ones, and her mother has spoken publicly about her daughter’s slow but steady progress since the crash.
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