STAMFORD, Conn. — Connecticut State Police arrested a Stamford police officer Wednesday and charged him in connection with a crash that killed a beloved pastor last summer.
Stamford Police Officer Zachary Lockwood turned himself in at Connecticut State Police Troop G, in Bridgeport. Lockwood was charged with Misconduct with a Motor Vehicle. He was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on Feb. 21.
State police said on July 26, 2023 at 4:12 p.m., Zachary Lockwood was driving a 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility, operated by Stamford Police Officer Zachary Lockwood, 24, was driving east on Wire Mill Road. At the same time, Rev. Tommie Jackson, 69, of Stamford, was crossing the road after getting his mail. Police said Lockwood made an evasive steering maneuver, but struck Jackson who was subsequently taken to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
After the crash, Lockwood was placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure.
Jackson was a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church and Faith Tabernacle Church and an assistant director of the city's Urban Redevelopment Commission.
State police said Lockwood was responding to a report of a motor vehicle accident without injuries and a disturbance involving several people at the scene.
Investigators said Lockwood activated his emergency siren intermittently during his response in conjunction with the overhead lights as he traveled on Wire Mill Road, prior to the point of impact. Lockwood’s final activation of his emergency siren occurred fifteen seconds before the impact occurred. Investigators said that at the time the collision occurred, Lockwood’s police vehicle did not meet the elements of an emergency vehicle as defined by Connecticut General Statute.
Police also said Lockwood was driving at 65 mph about 300 feet prior to the collision, without an audible siren, and 46 mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit on Wire Mill Road is 25 mph.
Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw said in a statement, "As the State Police criminal investigation has now been completed, the Stamford Police Department Internal Affairs Unit can now begin the internal administrative investigation into this incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved with this tragic incident."
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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