Massachusetts State Police

NORTH ANDOVER (CBS) – A Massachusetts State Trooper has been relieved of duty and is facing charges following an alleged OUI crash that left a passenger with serious injuries.

According to Massachusetts State Police, Trooper Dale Jenkins was off-duty around 1 a.m. Saturday when he crashed on Route 114 in North Andover.

The passenger, who was not identified, was taken to a Boston hospital, where he remains.

Jenkins was also carrying a handgun at the time, according to police. State Police say the gun was not his department-issued service weapon.

He has been charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

Jenkins’ license to carry firearms was also suspended.

In addition to immediately being relieved of duty, State Police will hold an administrative hearing next week to determine Jenkins’ duty status for as long as the charges are pending.

In a statement, State Police noted that the thoughts of Colonel Timothy P. Alben, superintendent of the State Police, along with the rest of the department, “are first and foremost with the passenger in the car who was seriously injured.”

“The State Police condemn all instances of impaired operation,” the statement added.

Jenkins joined the State Police in December 2000. He is currently assigned to the Gang Unit.