Accused wrong-way driver in crash that killed Endicott College police sergeant arraigned from hospital bed
NEWBURYPORT - The accused drunk driver charged with causing the wrong-way crash that killed Endicott College Police Sergeant Jeremy Cole on Thanksgiving smelled of alcohol and marijuana following the crash, prosecutors said.
Keoma Duarte charged in crash
The Essex County District Attorney's Office said 40-year-old Keoma Duarte, of New Bedford, was charged Tuesday with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor and operating recklessly, manslaughter, and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in the crash on Interstate 95 in Newbury early Thursday morning.
Duarte also faces charges for speeding and driving in the wrong direction on a state highway.
Duarte was arraigned Tuesday afternoon via Zoom from his hospital bed while attorneys and the judge were at the hearing in Newbury District Court.
During the arraignment, prosecutors said they found seven empty miniature alcohol bottles and one that was full inside the car. Officers also said they detected burnt marijuana, and Duarte allegedly smelled like alcohol.
According to prosecutors, Duarte denied hitting anyone despite his damaged vehicle being at the scene.
Prosecutors said in court that Duarte has a lengthy driving record.
A judge ordered Duarte held on $500,000 cash bail. If he makes bail, he cannot use alcohol or drugs when released. Duarte is next due in court for a hearing on December 19.
Sergeant Jeremy Cole death
Sgt. Cole was driving home to Exeter, New Hampshire on 95 north after leaving his evening shift on campus when his Chevrolet Trailblazer was hit head-on by a Tesla driven by Duarte.
Cole died at the scene. Duarte was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on a medical rescue helicopter with serious injuries.
Cole was 49 years old. He left behind a wife and four children.
Cole worked for the Endicott College police department for 15 years.
A procession was held Tuesday afternoon as Cole's body was brought to a funeral home in Beverly.
Wrong-way crash
Massachusetts State Police said New Hampshire State Police first spotted the Tesla going the wrong way on Route 95 in Hampton.
"Duarte was initially traveling northbound on I-95 in Hampton before entering the parking lot of the northbound NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, which was closed at the time," New Hampshire State Police said in a statement Tuesday.
"Surveillance footage shows Duarte drive through the lot before departing from the entrance at approximately 11:45 p.m. He was first observed by a New Hampshire State Trooper on patrol in the area less than one minute after entering the road in the wrong direction."
Massachusetts State Police set up a tire-deflation device on the highway in Georgetown to stop Duarte's car but it crashed into Cole's SUV in Newbury before it reached the device.