a statement, saying that he was relieved that no one was injured in the crash:

 This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody. I'm grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved that no one was seriously injured. The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened. 

Chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Amy Carnevale, supporting Oliver's decision to end his campaign:

 The MassGOP supports the decision of Shawn Oliver to suspend his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable. We now stand to assist Shawn in getting any help he needs to ensure he never puts himself or others in harm's way again,  Carnevale wrote.  We also recognize that Shawn Oliver is holding himself accountable for his actions and facing the consequences of this situation. 

According to Oliver's campaign website, he was born and raised in New Bedford and has served as a corrections officer since 2013.

Oliver was elected to the New Bedford City Council in 2023, his website reads.

Oliver's arrest comes just two weeks before Massachusetts voters head to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.