A Connecticut police officer who fatally struck a beloved pastor in a car accident last year has been fired, officials announced Thursday.
Zachary Lockwood, who was indicted back in February, was preserved by the Stamford Police Departmentlocal ABC affiliate WTNH reported.
“I am aware that Zachary Lockwood has been dismissed from his position“, Mayor Caroline Simmons told the Stamford Advocate. “My thoughts and prayers remain with the Jackson family and all affected by this terrible tragedy.”
The Reverend Tommie Jackson, 69, was killed in the accident on July 26, 2023. Lockwood was driving his marked Stamford police vehicle at 46 mph in a 25 mph zone when he struck Jackson as he crossed the street, according to authorities.
Lockwood responded to another car accident that turned into a disturbance in Stamford. Investigators said he had been advised to respond “Code 1” — the slowest response, with the flow of traffic and no sirens — but got “Code 3” insteadand reaches speeds of 65 mph.
“Oh shit, don’t go code 3, go code 2,” Lockwood’s partner told him when he made the decision, according to charging documents.
Jackson was trying to cross the street after getting mail from a mailbox, authorities said. Lockwood beat him at 46 mph.
Jackson, a well-known pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church and Faith Tabernacle Churchlater died of his injuries at the hospital.
In February prosecutors charged Lockwood with a felony count of misconduct with a motor vehicle. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
“The decision to quit [Lockwood] not only responds to this tragedy, but it reassures all of us that Stamford is now a safer place to work and live,” attorney Darnell Crossland, who represents Jackson’s family, told the Advocate.