Left: Keoma Duarte (New Hampshire State Police). Right: Sgt. Jeremy Cole (Endicott College).
Authorities in New Hampshire charged a wrong-way Tesla driver who killed a police officer on his way home at the end of his shift.
Keoma Duarte, 40, stands accused of two felony counts of reckless conduct and one misdemeanor count of disobeying an officer in the November death of Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole. Duarte already was facing charges of motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor and operating recklessly, manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in Massachusetts where the deadly crash occurred.
Just before midnight on Nov. 27, New Hampshire State Police troopers observed Duarte’s 2023 Tesla Model Y traveling the wrong way down Intestate 95 in Hampton. Cops started chasing him but he continued fleeing and crossed into Massachusetts. Cole, 49, was headed home from work and Duarte crashed into him head on, authorities allege.
Paramedics pronounced Cole dead on scene while they airlifted Duarte to a Boston hospital for treatment of serious injuries. But even at the scene, Duarte tried to act like he was not in a crash.
“Up until the point where he was eventually taken to the hospital, he continued to deny to police he had been in an accident, even though his car was crushed and he had, in essence, crushed Sgt. Cole,” said prosecutor James Gubotose, according to local ABC affiliate WCVB.
Cops said they could immediately smell booze emanating from Duarte when they rescued him from the car. They also noted that the defendant tried to stop at a liquor store in New Hampshire but it was closed. That’s when he entered I-95 from the wrong direction and traveled some 15 miles, authorities say.
A New Hampshire judge arraigned Duarte on the latest charges on Wednesday. He has since bonded out of jail.
Cole worked with the police department at Endicott College for 15 years. Known as “J. Cole,” he received an award after he saved the life of an assistant softball coach who went into cardiac arrest on campus in 2021.
“This act of bravery was just one example of the selflessness and care that defined Jeremy’s service to Endicott,” said President Steven R. DiSalvo.
Added DiSalvo: “J. Cole was the consummate student-focused representative of the Endicott community. I witnessed his interactions with students at athletics events, in the dining hall, at open house events and during his everyday duties on campus. He was loved and respected by all at the Nest. Eileen and I will miss his genuine kindness and his warm sense of humor.”
