Stoughton Police Officer Acquitted In Fatal Canton Crash

STOUGHTON, MA — A Stoughton police sergeant was aquitted Friday on charges connected to a crash that killed a 74-year-old Canton man two years ago. Paul Williams, 50, was found not guilty by a Dedham District Court jury of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, the Brockton Enterprise reported.

In February 2018, State Police said Ralph Hawkins, who was standing in a neighbor's driveway, was hit by a pickup truck Williams was driving. Williams told prosecutors he was choking on a lemon seed from his iced tea before leaving the roadway, striking a tree and hitting Hawkins, prosecutors said. Hawkins was taken to Boston Medical Center, but succumbed to his injuries.

Williams was off-duty when the crash happened, and has been on paid leave with the Stoughton Police Department since. Lt. John Bonney told the Enterprise acquittal was William's first step to being reinstated, and Williams will meet with Police Chief Donna McNamara in the next few days.