Careless white-American cop of CT arrested for his role in a deadly crash that killed a Black-American pastor

Tommie Jackson was trying to cross Wire Mill Road in Stamford on July 26 when he was struck by a  police patrol vehicle driven by  Zachary Lockwood.

By Edward Era Barbacena 

A Stamford white police officer has been arrested for his role in a deadly crash that killed a Black-American pastor dead in July.

Rev. Tommie Jackson was trying to cross Wire Mill Road in Stamford after retrieving mail from his mailbox on July 26 when he was struck by a marked Stamford police patrol vehicle driven by Officer Zachary Lockwood.

Lockwood was on duty, responding to an unrelated crash without injuries on Hope Street, police said. Troopers later learned of a disturbance involving multiple people at that crash scene.

State police said Lockwood activated his lights and emergency siren intermittently. Seconds before the crash, he did not have his emergency siren on, according to troopers.

The officer was also driving well over the speed limit when the crash happened. State police said he was going at least 20 mph over the speed limit.

Officials said Lockwood tried to maneuver away after following a curve but hit Jackson, and then provided medical care to Jackson until medical crews arrived.

The police department said Lockwood was placed on administrative leave following the crash. He was arrested on Wednesday.

Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Lockwood, charging him with misconduct with a motor vehicle, which is a class D felony. He turned himself into police on Feb. 7 and was released on a $10,000 bond.

"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," state police said in a statement.

Police said Reverend Jackson was a friend and adviser to many members of the Stamford Police Department.

The Stamford Police Department Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an internal investigation. Lockwood is due in court on Feb. 21.