The Republican ticket for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts lost its nominee Sunday, after New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign less than a day after police arrested him on drunken-driving charges following a crash that flipped his car onto its roof.

New Bedford police said Oliver's vehicle struck five parked cars, two of them extensively damaged, near a shopping plaza on Dartmouth Street around 11:40 p.m. Saturday before it overturned. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment and arrested afterward on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked-lanes violation and speeding, according to police, as first detailed in NBC Boston's report on the arrest.

Oliver, the lone Republican left standing in this year's lieutenant governor field and running mate to GOP gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue, announced Sunday afternoon that he was ending his bid, saying in a statement that the election is "too important to be overshadowed by personal matters" and asking that his family's privacy be respected.

Running mate forced the exit

The announcement came only after Minogue himself called for it. Minogue told reporters he was "extremely disappointed," that Oliver was "lucky to be alive," and that he had spoken with his running mate and offered support going forward.

"There is no excuse for driving drunk. He needs to put his family first." — Mike Minogue, Massachusetts GOP gubernatorial nominee

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell called the allegations against Oliver "deeply concerning," saying the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened. Massachusetts Republican Party chair Amy Carnevale said the party was still gathering information Sunday evening.

The collapse leaves Minogue, a political newcomer and former medical-device executive, without a running mate just 16 days before Massachusetts voters decide the November 3 general election. Oliver and Minogue are challenging the Democratic ticket of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who are seeking a second term and have led most public polling this fall, according to Axios's Boston coverage.

It remained unclear Sunday night whether state Republicans could install a new nominee this late in the race, or whether Oliver's name would simply remain on the ballot as a suspended candidate. The Hill's report on the episode noted the race had already turned combative, with Oliver and Driscoll clashing over abortion access and ICE enforcement in their only scheduled debate earlier this month.