Lakeville, Conn., man killed in single-car crash in Sheffield
More InfoSheffield – A man from Lakeville, Connecticut, died as a result of injuries sustained in a single-car motor vehicle crash in the town of Sheffield.
According to a preliminary police investigation, Jesus A. Santos, 19, lost control of the motor vehicle he was driving on Berkshire School Road at about 11:32 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 28).
Santos was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The accident occurred about a mile from where a Sheffield Police Officer attempted, unsuccessfully, to execute a stop for a motor vehicle violation of the vehicle that Santos was operating. Santos was transported from the scene to the Holyoke office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The accident remains under investigation by members of the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s office, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (C.A.R.S.), the MSP Crime Scene Services Section, MSP troopers from SP Lee and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
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“A mile from where a Sheffield Officer attempted, unsuccessfully, to execute a motor vehicle stop” Actually it was during a high speed pursuit that a rookie officer initiated on the basis of a minor traffic violation (racial profiling?) and who continued the pursuit down a town road known to have dangerous S/curves. More like murder.
FYI, the officer only initiates the traffic stop. The decision to flee is initiated by the suspect. Perhaps you have evidence to back your unsubstantiated accusations that you would be willing to share with the authorities. It will be interesting to know toxicology results, since the young man was not of age to imbibe in this state. Where might he have been coming from?
1. The decision to pursue is initiated by the officer and can be called off at any point.
2. The “accusations “ come directly from the Sheffield PD, I’m related to someone on the job.
3. No clue what the tox has to do with it, or where he was coming from?
4. Still shady the whole “while in active pursuit “ angle is left out of the media reports. Let’s not forget this is the department that will cover up a DUI and give you a ride home if you’re a cop, but driving while Hispanic, that there’s a real crime.
Fact, young man died
Fact, police attempted to stop him
Fact, he didn’t stop, he ran, drivers education 101, stop.
Fact, innocent people don’t flee, they stop
Fact, you can not tell the race of a person driving at night. Try it, I did.
Fact, iF you were given information not out to the public, why are you telling
You are trying to make a major problem out of a tragedy.
Truth, a young man died unnecessarily. All he had to do is STOP. This should not be made into the officers fault.
A community is grieving, a family is in morning, let them.
Perhaps Reporthefacts should change their moniker to “ReportMySpeculation”. While you may be related to a member of a police department, we readers can’t pretend with you that you have the facts, nor can we call your use of “(racial profiling?”) and “More like murder” facts.
Let’s prioritize a time of mourning for this young man who is dearly missed by his family and wide circles of friends. The first few days of a person’s passing could be more meaningful than most of us ever hear…for the spirit of the person as well as those bidding them an earthly farewell. The concerns about what happened are also very important and timely matters.
Hopefully there will be a very thorough investigation with people willing to come forward with what they know so policies can be closely reviewed and changed. Meanwhile the realities of police interventions need to be better understood by the public. More written summaries of what to do in various scenarios whether in a car, in public or at home need to be shared with all students and the public along with role plays, to work through the various factors one may come into contact with.
There could be advocacy groups in every state and community to help more people feel clearly informed. Planning for safe times and ways to travel would also be sensible, again with appropriate back up plans and more ways for youth and others to get help with transportation and other needs. May this family find support and know many people are holding them in loving thoughts at this delicate time.