Police officer set to be arraigned in Plymouth County after reported hit-and-run pedestrian crash that killed 23-year-old Alfredo Alves

BROCKTON – A Massachusetts police officer is set to be arraigned in a reported hit-and-run pedestrian crash.

According to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz, 36-year-old Thomas Hayes faces charges of Motor Vehicle Homicide and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Following Personal Injury or Death. He was ordered held on $15,000 cash bail in District Court and prohibited from operating any motor vehicles as a condition of his release.

Last week, Hayes was indicted by a Plymouth County Grand Jury with an arraignment set for July 14th.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours on February 16th, when Brockton Police received reports of an unresponsive man lying in a snowbank near the intersection of Battles and Cross Streets. First responders transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as 23-year-old Alfredo “Fredy” Alves of Brockton.

In the hours after the crash, a witness voluntarily contacted the Brockton Police Department and reported being a passenger in the vehicle that struck Alves. The witness identified Hayes as the driver of a 2022 Ford Explorer involved in the collision. The witness, along with another passenger who also spoke with investigators, described damage to the vehicle—including a shattered windshield—consistent with the impact.

Law enforcement located a Ford Explorer matching the description, with visible damage, in Hayes’ driveway at his Hanover residence. Surveillance footage recovered from Brockton showed Hayes operating the Ford Explorer shortly before the fatal crash. Police arrested Hayes at his home without incident.

According to WCVB, Hayes is a Hanover police officer who was off duty at the time and has been placed on administrative leave.

CBS Boston noted that police said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol when they took Hayes into custody.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Alves “was an incredible person — kind, hardworking, and full of life. He had a smile that could light up any room and a heart big enough to help anyone in need. He was the kind of man who showed up for his family and friends without hesitation. Above all, Fredy was a loving father to his beautiful 1-year-old son. Being a dad was his greatest joy and proudest accomplishment.”

The investigation, led by Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police, remains active and ongoing.