Drunk off-duty trooper leaned over to kiss his girlfriend while speeding down the Expressway, causing a crash that killed a motorcyclist, DA says

A man just one week out of the State Police Academy topped off a night of drinking in Boston by spinning out his SUV on the Expressway in an attempt to kiss his girlfriend early this morning, leading to a motorcyclist slamming into his stuck vehicle and dying, the Suffolk County District Attorney charges.

Kristopher Carr, 25, of Monson, was charged with OUI motor-vehicle homicide and negligent operation for the crash that killed Christopher Zike, 51, early this morning on the southbound side of the highway in Dorchester.

Monson was immediately discharged from State Police and had his license suspended, the DA's office reports, adding he was released on $5,000 bail and ordered to undergo random drug screens while his case is pending.

According to the DA's office, State Police detectives learned that Carr had consumed six or seven alcoholic beverages at three different bars in Boston before he got behind the wheel and headed south on I-93:

While operating a 2020 Ford Explorer in the far left travel lane of Interstate 93 South shortly before 1:25 a.m. today, Mr. Carr leaned over and attempted to kiss his acquaintance, at which time the vehicle swerved into the median barrier. The SUV sustained damage to the front driver’s side and its airbags deployed as a result of the crash. It came to a stop perpendicular to the median, prosecutors said.

While the SUV was stopped on the roadway, a motorcycle operated by Mr. Zike struck the vehicle. Mr. Zike was thrown from the motorcycle, suffering injuries that resulted in his death at Boston Medical Center.

Carr and his girlfriend were taken to Mass. General for minor injures, the DA's office says.

There, Mr. Carr declined to answer questions without an attorney. Detectives interacting with him noted that he had glassy eyes and spoke with a thick tongue. He was informed that he was under arrest and transported to the Massachusetts State Police South Boston Barracks for booking upon his release from the hospital.

In a statement, DA Rachael Rollins noted she spoke at the State Police Academy graduation at which Carr was one of 168 newly minted troopers last week.

This individual had the privilege and the opportunity to serve as a Trooper with honor and to help improve the safety and wellbeing of the people of Massachusetts. Instead, he violated the laws he had sworn to uphold. Christopher Zike’s family and loved ones are now left to grieve his tragic death,” District Attorney Rollins said. “Members of law enforcement are, necessarily, held to a higher standard of conduct, and for good reason. Whether an officer of the law has served the community for decades or worn a badge for only a week, they are always expected to uphold the integrity of their agency and our criminal legal system. When a sworn officer violates the law, it erodes the community’s trust in our criminal legal system. This entire situation is tragic. One man lost his life and another one has altered his trajectory forever. We spend so much time talking about substance use disorders. People need to remember that alcohol is a substance. It just has been normalized. But alcohol destroys and takes lives just like opioids and other narcotics.

Carr is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12.

Innocent, etc.