Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole was killed early Thanksgiving morning when his Chevrolet Trailblazer was struck by an apparent wrong-way driver on Interstate 95.
Newbury Fire Chief Dave Evans said the Newbury Fire Department was dispatched around 12:05 a.m. to, what was described as, “a serious motor vehicle crash” on the northbound side of the highway.
Endicott College Chief of Police Kerry Ramsdell confirmed the death 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,” he said.
Evans reported in a Thanksgiving release, “Upon arrival, rescuers found two passenger cars had crashed head-on on the highway. The operators of both vehicles, who were the sole occupants of the vehicles, were trapped inside the two cars, and firefighters began a lengthy and delicate extrication process to free both parties from the wreckage,”.
“After a nearly hour-long process, the two adult male drivers were extricated. One driver was taken by medical helicopter to a trauma center. During the response and rescue efforts, it was apparent that one motorist was traveling southbound, the wrong way, in the northbound lane when the crash occurred,” the release added.
The highway was closed for a period in both directions, Mutual aid was provided by Newburyport, Georgetown and Rowley firefighters.