Dec. 3 – Charges have been filed against a Massachusetts man involved in a wrong-way crash that killed an Endicott College police sergeant from Exeter on Thanksgiving evening, officials said.
Keoma Duarte, 40, of New Bedford, faces two counts of motor vehicle homicide, one count of operating while intoxicated, as well as manslaughter and civil motor vehicle violations, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Duarte was also seriously injured in the crash, which occurred just before midnight on Interstate 95 in Newbury, Massachusetts, on November 27.
New Hampshire state troopers reported seeing a Tesla traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-95 in Hampton. Troopers attempted to stop the wrong-way driver and coordinated efforts with Massachusetts State Police once the vehicle crossed the Bay State.
The driver, identified by police as Duarte, was later involved in a crash that killed Jeremy Cole, 49, of Exeter, a sergeant with the Public Safety and Police Department at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Cole was on his way home for the Thanksgiving holiday after his shift ended, state police said.
Duarte was transported to a Boston-area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
A preliminary investigation by New Hampshire State Police revealed that Duarte initially traveled north on I-95 in Hampton before pulling into the parking lot of the northbound NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, which was closed at the time.
Surveillance footage shows Duarte driving through the parking lot before leaving the entrance around 11:45 p.m., state police said.
“He was first observed by a New Hampshire State Police trooper patrolling the area less than a minute after he entered the road in the wrong direction,” state police said in a news release.
Criminal charges in New Hampshire are “pending” pending the results of an ongoing investigation, state police said.
On Monday, members of the Endicott College community gathered at the Center for Belonging to mourn together.
Known as “J. Cole” on campus, Sgt. Cole served at Endicott College for 15 years. In 2021, Cole, along with Officer Sean Gannon, received the prestigious Life Saving Award from the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators for their efforts to save the life of assistant softball coach David Bettencourt, who went into cardiac arrest on campus.
“This act of courage was just one example of the selflessness and care that characterized Jeremy’s service to Endicott,” said President Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our department. We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Sergeant Cole was not only a dedicated public servant and previous recipient of a lifesaving award, but also a beloved member of our team,” said Endicott College Chief of Staff police Kerry Ramsdell.
President DiSalvo echoed these sentiments.
“J. Cole was the consummate student-centered representative of the Endicott community,” DiSalvo said. “I witnessed his interactions with students at athletic events, in the dining hall, at open house events, and during his daily duties on campus. He was loved and respected by everyone at the Nest. Eileen and I will remember his genuine kindness and his warm heart miss.” sense of humor.”
Endicott College businessman Ben Fridlington has launched a GoFundMe “to try and raise as much as possible for his family who now need our support at this difficult time. All money raised will go directly to the family,” Fridlington wrote. The GoFundMe has already raised nearly $80,000.
“J. Cole was an amazing man and a symbol of what it means to protect and serve. He always made himself available to every student on campus and made sure everyone knew they had his love and support no matter the situation ” says Fridlington. added.
