Manchester Police Officer Fired After Hit and Run

A Manchester police detective has been fired after a preliminary investigation into a hit-and-run accident in Bedford on Friday evening determined the sergeant violated several departmental procedures and his car may have been involved in the accident that injured two pedestrians.

Bedford Police were called to Harrod Lane shortly before 9:30 p.m. on March 22 for a report of two pedestrians injured by a dark-colored SUV that left the scene. One pedestrian suffered minor injuries, but the other was reported Saturday morning to have suffered serious head trauma.

A press release issued by Manchester Police Department on Monday evening confirmed that an unmarked, under-cover vehicle, assigned to Stephen Coco, a detective sergeant working in the Special Investigations Unit at the Manchester Police Department, is the suspect vehicle involved in the accident.

The vehicle is in the possession of the Bedford Police Department at this time pending further investigation.

Manchester Police say, based on preliminary information, an immediate internal investigation into the incident was started. The investigation is ongoing, however police say information has already been developed to indicate Coco violated several departmental standard operating procedures and as such, has been fired from his job.

"Chief David Mara and the members of the Manchester Police Department were greatly saddened to learn of this terrible incident and our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families," said Lt. Maureen Tessier in the release.

The Manchester Police Department will continue to cooperate fully with the Bedford Police Department’s criminal investigation of the accident.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Bedford Police Department at 472-5113.

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