A Massena police officer was charged with drunk driving Tuesday night after he crashed his car into a utility pole on a village street.

Police Chief Timmy Currier said 45 year old Michael O'Donnell, who was off duty at the time, lost control of his vehicle on Maple Street around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and struck a utility pole.

Currier said the officers who responded determined O'Donnell was intoxicated and took him to the police station.

Currier said he was notified and immediately contacted state police, who have taken over the investigation.

State police say O'Donnell was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Currier said he had a blood alcohol content of .15 percent.

The legal limit for drivers is .08 percent.

"Enforcing the law when it involves one of your own is not pleasant," Currier said in a release, "But it is the right thing to do, it is the only thing to do."

Currier said O'Donnell is on administrative leave pending action by the village board. He is a 13-year veteran of the department.