MA Man Charged In Fatal Cape Cod Motorcycle Crash Drowns In Ipswich

IPSWICH, MA — The man charged in the August 2022 motorcycle crash that killed 18-year-old Centerville resident Sam Needham drowned in Ipswich last week, police confirmed.

Richard Collins, 72, drowned in Plum Island Sound on July 26, Ipswich police confirmed.

At approximately 3 p.m. that day, the Ipswich Police and Fire Departments were notified that workers at the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club, 124 N. Ridge Road, spotted a man in the water in the area of the Yacht Club’s mooring area just off shore.

Ipswich Police immediately launched their marine unit and located Collins, who was quickly returned to shore at the Yacht Club’s dock, police said.

Police, fire and ActionEMS units performed CPR and other lifesaving measures before Collins was taken to Beverly Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Collins appears to have been swimming at Clark Beach in Ipswich. Police said the death appears to be an accidental drowning.

Collins was due in Barnstable County Superior Court on July 31 for arraignment related to the fatal crash. In August 2022, Collins was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence of alcohol.

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