Leonard Campanello, Chief of Police
197 Main St.
Gloucester , MA 01930
For Immediate Release
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]
Gloucester Man Arrested for 3rd OUI after Crash that Seriously Injures Police Officer
GLOUCESTER — Police Chief Leonard Campanello reports that a Gloucester man was arrested and now faces a number of charges after he allegedly drove drunk early Saturday morning and struck a marked Gloucester Police cruiser head-on, seriously injuring a police officer.
JOSEPH W. LOIACANO, AGE 39, OF FARRINGTON AVENUE was arrested and charged with:
- Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
- Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Third Offense;
- Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury;
- Speeding; and
- Marked Lanes Violation
On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 12:38 a.m., police and EMS responded to Main Street near the Hess gas station after a report that a police cruiser had been struck head-on by a SUV driving on the wrong side of the road.
Officers, Gloucester Firefighters, and Beauport Ambulance medics tended to the officer and the driver of a white Chevrolet Equinox that had struck the cruiser, identified as LOIACANO.
LOIACANO had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and was uncooperative with authorities.
A local taxicab driver told police he observed LOIACANO driving at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crash.
LOIACANO and the officer were transported to Beverly Hospital. LOIACANO was released a short time later and was transported to the Gloucester Police Department under arrest.
“This suspect has a history of drinking and driving, and in this case, we allege that his actions under the influence of alcohol resulted in serious injuries for a police officer who was just doing his job,” Chief Campanello said.
The Gloucester officer is identified as Officer Kevin Muise. He sustained serious neck injuries.
“Officer Muise was seriously injured, but we are hopeful that he will make a full recovery,” Chief Campanello said.
Chief Campanello asks that members of the media respect Officer Muise and his family’s privacy by not calling their home or attempting to interview them at home.
LOIACANO was ordered held on $7,000 cash bail at the Gloucester Police Department pending his arraignment Monday in Gloucester District Court.
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