Connecticut State police on Wednesday charged a Stamford Police officer in connection with the July 26, 2023 collision that resulted in the death of a Stamford Pastor, Tommie Jackson.
Officer Zachary Lockwood. Photo: CT State Police Feb 7, 2024
State police said that members of the CT State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, in conjunction with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad, were requested by the Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office to assist Stamford Police with a fatal crash involving an on-duty Police Officer Zachary Lockwood, 24.
State Police said that at approximately 4:12 pm, police cruiser operated by Officer Lockwood, was traveling eastbound on Wire Mill Rd in Stamford when Mr. Jackson, 69, was walking across the roadway after retrieving his mail.
State police said that upon observing Mr. Jackson, officer Lockwood made an evasive steering maneuver, causing his police cruiser to enter into the westbound lane and collide into Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson was subsequently transported to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
During an extensive investigation, detectives determined that on July 26, 2023, at approximately 4:20 pm, Officer Lockwood was assigned to respond to an address on Hope Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident without injuries. As he was responding to Hope Street, Stamford Police dispatch updated responding officers and advised them of a disturbance involving multiple people at the Hope Street scene.
Officer Lockwood activated his emergency siren intermittently during his response in conjunction with the overhead lights as he traveled on Wire Mill Rd, prior to the point of impact. His final activation of his emergency siren occurred 15 seconds before the impact occurred.
Based upon this information, at the time the collision with Mr. Jackson occurred, Officer Lockwood’s police vehicle did not meet the elements of an emergency vehicle as defined by Connecticut General Statute, 14-283.
Additionally, analysis revealed that Officer Lockwood was operating the vehicle at 65 MPH approximately 300 feet prior to the collision, without an audible siren, and 46 MPH at the time the police vehicle collided with Mr. Jackson. The established speed limit on Wire Mill Road is 25 MPH.
Based upon the totality of the information obtained during their investigation, Detectives applied for an arrest warrant, which was granted by Stamford Superior Court on Feb 7.
On Feb 7, after learning of the active warrant Lockwood turned himself in at Connecticut State Police Troop G in Bridgeport. He was taken into custody, processed and charged with C.G.S. 53a-57, Misconduct with a Motor Vehicle.
Lockwood was later released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment on Feb 21, 2024 in Stamford Superior Court.
See also:
Stamford Pastor Was Getting His Mail When Fatally Struck by Police Cruiser
July 27, 2023