Cambridge police officer charged with drunk driving after crashing into motorcyclists
CAMBRIDGE – A Cambridge police officer is on administrative leave and facing drunk driving charges following a crash early Monday morning.
Officer Michael Daniliuk, 57, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and failure to stop at a red light after a crash with three motorcyclists at the intersection of Broadway and Columbia Street around midnight.
"When officers responded they did speak with the driver, who was the officer off-duty and determined him to have slurred speech, glassy eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. He was placed under arrest," said Cambridge Police Director of Communications Jeremy Warnick.
Daniliuk, who is a youth resource officer and has been with the department for 24 years and is believed in the community.
"He is an award-winning officer, very very involved in the community, received awards from the NAACP, community peacemaker awards. I'm sure he's incredibly regretful in terms of this situation happening," said Warnick. "Credit to our officers who responded, handled this with the most utmost professionalism."
The motorcyclists were stopped at a traffic light when Daniliuk hit them, police said.
Daniliuk and two of the motorcyclists were hospitalized after the crash, though none of the injuries are described as serious.
Cambridge Police said Daniliuk has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, which it said is department policy.
