Manslaughter Arraignment Set For Man Accused In Endicott Officer Highway Crash Death

BEVERLY, MA — The New Bedford man accused of driving the wrong way on Route 95 and causing the crash that killed Endicott College Sgt. Jeremy Cole as Cole drove from Beverly to his Exeter, NH home on Thanksgiving Eve will be arraigned in Salem Superior Court on charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Keoma Duarte will be arraigned on the charge on Feb. 28 after he pled not guilty to other charges related to the crash in Newburyport District Court via Zoom on Dec. 3.

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Superior Court Chief James Gubitose is expected to prosecute the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. The defendant is represented by attorney Joseph Krowski.

Duarte was accused of driving his 2023 Tesla southbound in the northbound lane of Interstate 95 just prior to midnight and colliding with Cole's 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer near the Central Street overpass.

Cole was pronounced dead at the scene. Duarte was taken by MedFlight to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries.

Cole was a 15-year veteran of the Endicott police force who was known for his unwavering commitment to student safety and well-being. In 2021, Cole helped save the life of a softball coach who had gone into cardiac arrest and was awarded the prestigious Lifesaving Award from the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, along with Endicott Officer Sean Gannon.