Ex-Mass. officer gets probation for DUI crash

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A former Northbridge police officer who pleaded guilty to charges of driving drunk and causing a crash that seriously injured another man has been spared jail at the urging of his victim's family.

Joshua Nadeau of Millbury was placed on three years' probation after pleading guilty Monday to charges including driving under the influence of alcohol.

Authorities say the 43-year-old Nadeau was driving a pickup truck that crossed the center line October 2011 and collided with a car driven by Dennis Guertin of Douglas.

Police say the off-duty Nadeau and his passenger switched seats to make it appear as if the passenger had been driving.

The Telegram & Gazette (http://bit.ly/ZEk5Mt ) reports that Nadeau was spared jail time after Guertin's family requested leniency. Nadeau shook Guertin's hand outside court and apologized.

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), http://www.telegram.com

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