Danbury Cop Charged After Fatal High-Speed Chase: Police

DANBURY, CT — A former city police officer has been charged in connection with a high-speed chase in December which led to the death of a 26-year-old woman. Jamie Hodge, 39, turned himself into police on a reckless driving charge after a months-long state police investigation into his role in the chase that led to the death of Tiffany Fitzgerald.

According to court records, investigators say Hodge was "operating his personal vehicle at a rate of speed as to endanger the life of any person other than the operator" while attempting to investigate the bizarre crash in his personal vehicle. The chase started downtown, and ended on Mountainville Road when the stolen car rolled over and Fitzgerald was killed.

The driver Ricardo Andre, 33, of Danbury was arrested after police shortly after the crash.

Hodge told investigators he was working a private construction zone when he noticed a driver who looked like Andre, who had warrants out for his arrest. He told the construction crew "he'd be right back," and began to follow the Ford Explorer in his Chevy Tahoe, according to court records.

The former Danbury officer told investigators he stopped about 250 yards behind the Explorer at an intersection and began to walk towards the Explorer before it sped off. He then followed the Explorer and told dispatch he was about 250 yards away from it when he lost sight of the crash.

Hodge later told investigators he never intended or attempted to stop the Explorer and that he didn't see the Explorer until after the crash. His vehicle was not equipped with sirens or lights.

While Hodge told investigators he briefly followed the vehicle, two Danbury fire officials told investigators they saw the Ford Explorer and Chevy Tahoe traveling at "high rates of speed." Both said the vehicles were traveling about 20 yards apart.

Additionally, two witnesses stated Hodge was on scene immediately after the crash.

According to a report from the News Times, Hodge's attorney Elliot Spector said his client did not put others at risk, and that Hodge's following of the explorer should not be considered a pursuit. He also said the statement from the fire officials is "a matter of perception."

The report further indicated Hodge resigned from the force earlier this year. He had no disciplinary events on his record.

Hodge, a Barnum Road resident, was released on a $2,500 bond and is due in Waterbury Court on Aug. 22. State police say another arrest is forthcoming.

Image via the Danbury Police Department