Man Dies After Being Struck By Stamford Police Car, ID Released: CT State Police

STAMFORD, CT — A Stamford man was killed late Wednesday afternoon after he was struck by a Stamford police vehicle while trying to cross Wire Mill Road, according to the Connecticut State Police.

The man was identified as Tommie Jackson, a well-known community member and pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church in Stamford.

According to the city website, Jackson was also the assistant director of Stamford's Urban Redevelopment Commission. Jackson was 69 years old.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:12 p.m. when a 2017 Ford Explorer Interceptor Utility police vehicle, driven by Stamford police officer Zachary Lockwood, was traveling eastbound in the 450 block of Wire Mill Road, which runs from High Ridge Road to Long Ridge Road near the Merritt Parkway, state police said.

Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw said in a news release the vehicle was a marked patrol car and was responding to a call for service.

Jackson was on foot northbound trying to cross the road after retrieving mail from a mailbox, police said, noting a right curve in the roadway in this area.

Upon seeing Jackson, state police said Lockwood "made an evasive steering maneuver" and entered into the westbound lane.

The police car hit Jackson and the car continued onto a nearby property, state police said.

Jackson was taken to Stamford Hospital but died from his injuries, state police said. Lockwood was taken to Greenwich Hospital. "No apparent injury" was listed on a CT State Police accident information summary.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased," Shaw noted in a news release Wednesday evening.

United States Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) tweeted about Jackson's death.

"Losing Tommie Jackson is a gut punch—a warm, wise, wonderful community & faith leader, a tireless & fearless champion of social justice, & a dear friend. My heart goes out to his family," Blumenthal said Wednesday night.

Shaw said further details would not be released at this time. It's unknown if Lockwood will face disciplinary action.

Wire Mill Road was closed to all traffic in all directions Wednesday night.

The CT State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, along with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad, are handling the investigation at the request of the Stamford State's Attorney's Office.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or the moments prior is asked to contact Det. Corey Clabby at corey.clabby@ct.gov, or Det. Ryan Hackett at ryan.hackett@ct.gov.