A pedestrian was fatally struck by a Stamford police cruiser on Wire Mill Road on Wednesday.
The pedestrian, a resident of Wire Mill Road, was identified as Tommie Jackson, 69, a well known pastor in Stamford. He was taken to Stamford Hospital, where he later died.
According to the Connecticut State Police accident information summary, the incident took place at 4:12pm when Stamford Police Officer Zachary Lockwood, 24, was driving a Ford Interceptor on Wire Mill Road, when it hit Mr. Jackson.
The CSP summary said at the time Reverend Jackson struck he was on foot northbound, attempting to cross the roadway after retrieving mail from a mailbox.
The CSP accident report notes the road curves in this area of Wire Mill Road. The road has no sidewalks.
“Upon observing Jackson, Lockwood made an evasive steering maneuver, entering into the westbound lane. While within the westbound lane, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility collided into Jackson. Following impact, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility entered onto the property of 458 Wire Mill Road,” the report said.
Mr. Lockwood was taken by Stamford EMS to Greenwich Hospital, though the report indicated no apparent injury.
Reverend Jackson has served as a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church and Faith Tabernacle Church. He was also an assistant director of the City’s Urban Redevelopment Commission.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a statement Thursday saying she was devastated and heartbroken by the untimely passing of Reverend Jackson.
“Reverend Jackson was a pillar in the Stamford community and led a life devoted to faith and public service,” she said. “Reverend Jackson’s decades of service and leadership made an indelible impact on the City of Stamford. I was honored to call him a friend and I will greatly miss his positive energy, wonderful sense of humor, and infectious smile.”
“Our thoughts & prayers are with Reverend Jackson’s family, especially his wife Dorye, who honorably serves as a Stamford Police Commissioner, and their daughters Evinn and Erin. My thoughts and prayers are also with Officer Lockwood and his family during this difficult time.”
State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36), whose district includes part of Stamford, shared a statement, “I first met Reverend Jackson volunteering during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly learned how deeply he was rooted in the community as he fought for the betterment of all communities. His positive energy and generosity will not soon be forgotten. Reverend Jackson will live on through acts of compassion and kindness.”
At the request of Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office, the State Police – Western District Major Crime Squad, in conjunction with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad, assumed the investigative responsibility of the collision.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision or the moments prior to the collision are asked to contact Detective Corey Clabby at [email protected] or Detective Ryan Hackett at [email protected].