Stamford Cop Was Reckless In Crash That Killed Pastor, Lawsuit Claims

STAMFORD, CT — The family of Tommie Jackson, the pastor who was killed after he was hit by a police car on Wire Mill Road in Stamford last July, has filed a lawsuit against the city and the police officer charged in connection with the crash.

The lawsuit filed in November claims police officer Zachary Lockwood was reckless and negligent before the fatal crash which occurred on July 26, 2023.

The lawsuit also claims Lockwood "knew there were pedestrians on the road, including Reverend Jackson," and that the officer "ignored these risks and he willfully chose to drive at an unreasonable, improper and excessive rate of speed for the roadway."

Additionally, the lawsuit claims the city of Stamford is "vicariously liable" for Jackson's death.

Following a lengthy investigation into the crash by Connecticut State Police, Lockwood turned himself in on Wednesday on a warrant that charged him with misconduct with a motor vehicle, a Class D felony.

On July 26, 2023, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Lockwood was responding to a report of a car crash without injuries on Hope Street and traveling eastbound on Wire Mill Road in a marked, 2017 Explorer Interceptor Utility patrol car, state police said in a news release this week.

While en route, the Lockwod was advised there was a disturbance involving multiple people at the scene.

Jackson, 69, a Wire Mill Road resident, had just retrieved mail from his mailbox and was attempting to cross the roadway, state police said.

Upon seeing Jackson, Lockwood made "an evasive steering maneuver," causing the police vehicle to enter into the westbound lane, according to police.

While within the westbound lane, the police vehicle collided with Jackson, who was taken to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced dead, state police said.

State police said Lockwood activated his emergency siren "intermittently" during his response in conjunction with the overhead lights as he traveled along Wire Mill Road, before hitting Jackson.

Investigators determined Lockwood's final activation of his emergency siren occurred 15 seconds before the impact occurred, police said, adding that the vehicle did not meet the elements of an emergency vehicle as defined by state statutes.

Analysis showed Lockwood was driving 65 mph approximately 300 feet before the collision without an audible siren, and 46 mph when the police vehicle collided with Jackson, according to state police.

The posted speed limit on Wire Mill Road is 25 mph.

A member of the SPD since April 2022, Lockwood was placed on administrative after the incident.

Jackson was a beloved member of the community and a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church in Stamford, and previously at Faith Tabernacle Church. He was also the assistant director of the Stamford Urban Redevelopment Commission, an agency created in 1954 that handles municipal development projects.

Jackson's wife, Dorye, is a member of the Stamford Police Commission.

"This incident was an unimaginable tragedy for our community, and my prayers remain with Reverend Jackson’s family, and everyone involved," Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said in a statement Thursday. "I would like to thank the Connecticut State Police for their investigation, and I am hopeful for a fair and just resolution to this horrific situation."

Patch reached out to the city of Stamford for comment on Friday