Pedestrian hit by city police car dies; CT state police investigating

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car operated by Stamford police officer Wednesday afternoon.

Connecticut State Police said Stamford Officer Zachary Lockwood, 24, was driving east on Wire Mill Road in a police cruiser at about 4:12 p.m. when he hit 69-year-old Tommie Jackson, who was rushed to Stamford Hospital and pronounced dead.

According to state police, Jackson – who resided at 458 Wire Mill Road – was crossing the road after getting his mail when Lockwood approached a curve in the road and, upon seeing the pedestrian, maneuvered into the westbound lane to try to avoid a crash. The police cruiser ended up driving onto Jackson’s property after the collision, state police said.

State police said Lockwood was taken to Greenwich Hospital, though troopers noted in their report he did not suffer any apparent injuries.

“The investigation is being handled by the Connecticut State Police,” Timothy Shaw, chief of police at the Stamford Police Department, said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased.”

State police were brought in at the request of the Stamford State’s Attorney.

The Western District Major Crime Squad and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad are handling the crash investigation.

Any witnesses have been asked to contact state police Det. Corey Clabby at corey.clabby@ct.gov or Det. Ryan Hackett at ryan.hackett@ct.gov.