Photo: Courtesy of Endicott College Police Department
NEWBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 in Newbury, Massachusetts killed an Endicott College police sergeant overnight, authorities announced Thursday.
Massachusetts State Police said New Hampshire State Police reported a Tesla traveling the wrong way down I-95 South at around midnight. Troopers maintained visual contact with the vehicle through the Newburyport area while law enforcement set up a tire-deflation device in Georgetown.
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Before the Tesla reached the deflation device, it struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer in Newbury, police said.
Police and fire crews responded to the scene and closed I-95 for several hours in both directions.
The driver of the Trailblazer was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as Endicott College Police Sergeant Jeremy Cole, 49, of Exeter, New Hampshire.
The driver of the Tesla was seriously injured and taken to a Boston hospital. Police described this person as a man in his 40s from southeastern Massachusetts, but have not released his name.
Police said the alleged wrong-way driver is expected to face charges that will be announced at a later date. MSP detectives are investigating the crash.
"We offer our condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Sergeant Cole at this difficult time," state police said in their press release.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Sergeant Jeremy Cole, a dedicated member of our Campus Public Safety and Police Department for 15 years," Endicott College said in a statement. "Jeremy’s kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our community will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time."
"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," Endicott College Chief of Police Kerry Ramsdell wrote in a statement. "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."