Mashpee Police Investigating Officer Involvement in Fatal Cotuit crash

According to the article in the Cape Cod Times, a high speed chase being pursued by a Mashpee Police Officer resulted in a horrible crash and the death of at least two person, and life threatening injury to another.

Rescuers were called at 12:14 a.m. Saturday to 4782 Falmouth Road, near the intersection of Route 130, to find three people involved in the crash, Barnstable Police Sgt. Jason Laber said.

A Toyota sedan was on fire and split in two with both occupants ejected from the vehicle, according to a statement from Cotuit Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services.

When the officer in purusit was asked for the reason for the high speed chase, he cited "erratic operation, speeding, marked lanes, [and] multiple stop sign violations."

An analysis of the turret tape recording in this case provides reason to believe that the officer involved in the chase is one of the officers involved in a case of mine from 2016 in the Falmouth District Court. That case resulted in the independent investigation of the officer for excessive use of force, and verdicts of not guilty against the indivudual he claimed had assulted him. 

The parties involved cotinue to litigate a claim for damages.

If it is true that this horrible incident involves the same officer, it raises further and grave concerns about his judgement and regard for the safety of those he is employed to serve.

“We are in the early stages of what is going to be a comprehensive and thorough investigation into our involvement of the facts and circumstances leading up to this terrible tragedy,” Mashpee Police Chief Scott Carline said in a release. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families at this time.”