Police Mourn Endicott College Sgt. Killed In Wrong-Way Crash On Thanksgiving: Chief

BEVERLY, MA — Police at Endicott College are mourning the loss of their colleague following a deadly crash with a wrong-way driver that claimed his life early Thanksgiving morning after finishing his shift at the campus, Chief Kerry Ramsdell said.

Sgt. Jeremy Cole finished his evening shift at campus and while driving home, he died after his Chevrolet Trailblazer was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver on I-95 northbound in Newbury, according to Ramsdell.

Speaking on behalf of the Public Safety and Police Department at Endicott, Ramsdell expressed "deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy" to Cole's family.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for our department," she added. "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," Ramsdell continued, adding, "We are committed to supporting them in any way we can through this unimaginable grief."

The Newbury Police Department also offered its condolences in a post to Facebook, saying, "Our thoughts are with the family of Sergeant Jeremy Cole, the officers at staff of the Endicott College Police Department, and the Endicott community at large Rest in peace Sergeant Cole."

Cole's SUV was struck head-on by a Tesla at around midnight, police told NBC Boston.

The seriously hurt Tesla driver was taken by Boston MedFlight to a trauma center, according to the outlet. His name has not been released, the outlet reported, noting police said he is a man in his 40s from southeastern Massachussetts and it is expected he will face charges.

Ramsdell asked for privacy for Cole's family, "as they navigate this painful time."

"We share in their sorrow, and we are here for them," Ramsdell said, adding that the college is closed "and we respectfully ask that the media do not visit the campus."

Ramsdell directed further inquiries related to Cole's death to the Massachusetts State Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney's office.