On 07/26/2023, members of the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad (WDMC) in conjunction with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS) were requested by the Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office to assist the Stamford Police Department (SPD) with a fatal motor vehicle accident involving an on-duty Police Officer.
On 07/26/2023 at approximately 4:12 p.m., a 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility, operated by Stamford Police Officer Zachary Lockwood, DOB: 02/12/1999, was traveling eastbound on Wire Mill Road in the City of Stamford. In this area of Wire Mill Road, a right curve is present. At this time, a pedestrian, identified as Tommie Jackson, DOB: 01/18/1954, of Stamford, was on foot, attempting to cross the roadway after retrieving mail from a mailbox. Upon observing Mr. Jackson, Lockwood made an evasive steering maneuver, causing the police vehicle he was operating to enter into the westbound lane. While within the westbound lane, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility collided with Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson was subsequently transported to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
During this extensive investigation, Detectives determined that on July 26, 2023, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Officer Lockwood was assigned to respond to an address on Hope Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident without injuries. As Officer Lockwood was responding to Hope Street, SPD dispatch updated responding officers and advised them of a disturbance involving multiple people at the Hope Street scene.
Officer Lockwood activated his emergency siren intermittently during his response in conjunction with the overhead lights as he traveled on Wire Mill Road, prior to the point of impact. Investigators further determined that Officer Lockwood’s final activation of his emergency siren occurred fifteen seconds before the impact occurred. Based upon this information, at the time the collision with Mr. Jackson occurred, Officer Lockwood’s police vehicle did not meet the elements of an emergency vehicle as defined by Connecticut General Statute, 14-283.
Additionally, the analysis revealed that Officer Lockwood was operating the vehicle at sixty-five (65) MPH approximately three hundred (300) feet before the collision, without an audible siren, and forty-six MPH at the time the police vehicle collided with Mr. Jackson. The established speed limit on Wire Mill Road is twenty-five (25) MPH.
Based upon the totality of the information obtained during their investigation, Detectives applied for an arrest warrant, which was granted by Stamford Superior Court on 02/07/2024.
On 02/07/2024, after learning of the active warrant for his arrest, Zachary Lockwood turned himself in at Connecticut State Police Troop G, in Bridgeport. Lockwood was taken into custody, processed, and charged with the following violations of Connecticut General statute:
C.G.S. 53a-57, Misconduct with a Motor Vehicle
Lockwood was later released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment on 02/21/2024, at Stamford Superior Court.
Here is a copy of the original report:
