MSP: Motor vehicle homicide charges dropped in case where active-duty Trooper died from injuries in crash

A serious charge has been dropped against a Massachusetts man involved in a crash that led to the death of a Massachusetts State Trooper.

According to Massachusetts State Police, Trooper Thomas Devlin succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle that entered the breakdown lane during a motor vehicle stop on Route 3 in Billerica on July 26, 2018.

Initial investigation revealed that at the time he was struck, Devlin was out of his cruiser on foot talking with the motorist stopped for a traffic violation. A second vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Prius, being operated by a then 53-year-old Kevin Francis from Haverhill, drifted from the right lane into the breakdown lane. The Prius struck Devlin and pinned him between the two vehicles. Francis stopped at the scene.

Devlin was transported by ambulance to Lahey Clinic with injuries to both his upper and lower body after the crash.

Trooper Devlin underwent many surgeries and succumbed to his injuries in September of 2020.

Today, the State Police Association of Massachusetts stated that motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation charges against Francis were dropped.

“It is disheartening to hear that the Middlesex County District Attorney has decided to drop motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation charges against Kevin Francis. The facts of the case speak for themselves, and had Trooper Devlin not been hospitalized due to the severe injuries in the first place, he would be alive today. On behalf of the thousands of active-duty Troopers and retirees and especially the family of Trooper Thomas Devlin, the State Police Association of Massachusetts shares their collective disappointment. Trooper Devlin’s three decades of distinguished service to the Commonwealth was cut short by Francis who struck him as he stood outside his cruiser while conducting a motor vehicle stop, injuries which would eventually lead to his untimely passing. While we are dismayed by this recent decision, we remain hopeful justice will be served for the Devlin family.”