BOSTON -- A Boston firefighter pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he struck a car in an alleged drunken driving crash, according Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley.

Vernon Allen, 43, of Norwood, was charged with drunken driving, speeding, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lane violations in connection with the crash that occurred 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Allen, a 20-year-veteran of the Boston Fire Department, said that he had two beers after his 36-hour shift and was not drunk, police said.

Allen said that he administered first aid to the victim, and that the injured driver ran a red light at the intersection of the VFW Parkway and Baker Street.

The injured driver, a 27-year-old man from Connecticut, was in the intensive care unit of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Allen was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 7.