Stoughton Cop Facing Motor Vehicle Homicide Charge Arraigned

CANTON, MA — The Stoughton Police officer charged with killing a man in a crash in Canton appeared in court Thursday.

Paul Williams pleaded not guilty in Dedham District Court to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and marked lanes violation. He is free on personal recognizance, according to court records.

State Police say Ralph Hawkins was standing outside 147 High St. in Canton around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 19 when a 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by Williams drove off the road, struck a small street, and hit him. Hawkins was pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center.

During the initial investigation, Williams allegedly told investigators that he went off the road when he looked down to cough because he was choking on a lemon seed from his iced tea. An investigation from a member of the State Police's collision analysis and reconstruction team indicated that the truck was traveling at 27 mph, before increasing to 31 when it went off the road.

Witnesses told investigators that Williams didn't appear impaired or intoxicated after the crash. One said he looked remorseful.

Shortly after the incident, Williams' licenses was suspended and a request for immediate threat license revocation was submitted to the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Williams is due back in court Aug. 16 for a pretrial hearing.

Image: File Photo