Southeastern Massachusetts man charged, police officer killed in wrong-way highway crash

A local man is facing charges, and a man is dead after a wrong-way highway crash.

According to Massachusetts State Police Interim Director of Media Relations Tim McGuirk, at approximately midnight (Wednesday), New Hampshire State Police reported a wrong-way Tesla traveling south into Massachusetts on Interstate 95. Massachusetts State Troopers from Troop A and the New Hampshire State Police maintained visual contact with the wrong-way vehicle through the Newburyport area while law enforcement prepared a tire-deflation device in Georgetown.

Before the wrong way vehicle reached the device, the Tesla struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer at mile marker 81.5 in Newbury.

The Newbury Fire Department, MassDOT official, and State Police members from the Crash Accident Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section responded to the scene. For the safety of motorists and first responders, officials closed Interstate 95 for several hours in both directions.

The operator of the Chevrolet Trailblazer sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, he was identified as Endicott College Police Sergeant Jeremy Cole, 49, of Exeter, New Hampshire.

The operator of the Tesla, a man in his 40s from southeastern Massachusetts, sustained serious injuries and was MedFlighted to a Boston Hospital. McGuirk stated that he is expected to face charges that will be announced later.

The following is a statement from Endicott College Chief of Police Kerry Ramsdell:

“Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole, while driving home early on Thanksgiving morning after leaving his evening shift on our campus, was killed after his Chevrolet Trailblazer was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on I-95 northbound in Newbury.

“On behalf of the Public Safety & Police Department at Endicott College, I wish to express our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Sgt. Cole.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for our department. We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Sgt. Cole was not only a dedicated public servant and prior recipient of a lifesaving award, but also a cherished member of our team.

“On this Thanksgiving Day, our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of a police officer who reported for duty keeping the rest of us safe and secure but did not return home. We are committed to supporting them in any way we can through this unimaginable grief.

“On behalf of the family of Sgt. Cole, we kindly ask that everyone respects their privacy as they navigate this painful time. We share in their sorrow, and we are here for them. Endicott College is currently closed, and we respectfully ask that the media do not visit the campus.”

The matter remains under investigation by the State Police Detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.

The Massachusetts State Police offered condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Sergeant Cole at this difficult time.