Radio Host Discusses Troubling Bedford Incident

Back in March, there was an accident in Bedford that attracted widespread attention, and continues even now to be something that is widely discussed both here and in neighboring communities.

I'm talking about the accident in which Bedford resident and off-duty Manchester police officer Stephen Coco struck with his police-issued vehicle two Bedford teenagers who were walking in their neighborhood . Of course we all recognize that accidents happen, but what was big news was the fact that Mr. Coco did not immediately stop his vehicle and render aid to the two injured young men.

Many people have asked me why I never wrote a blog about the incident, particularly those folks who were outraged by it. I normally do not write about such events, but the actual fact of the matter is that at the time of the accident, I was completely unaware of it since that was when I was in a Boston hospital in basically a vegetative state. However, even had I not been, I would have refrained from writing a blog about it. Because I have a son who works in law enforcement (not in NH), and because I'm also a parent of another son who was run down by a car when he was 11 years old, I'm not confident that anything that I wrote could have been presented without any bias whatsoever either for or against any and all people involved in the sad story.

The incident continues to remain in the news because of all that has happened since its occurrence, and quite honestly, I doubt that the whole thing will ever be over for either Stephen Coco or for the injured young men and their families.

Popular and respected radio host Rich Girard this week had a couple of segments on his daily "Girard at Large" show about the incident and its aftermath, and also interviewed the Bedford parents of the boys who were struck on that cold winter night. Those of you who have followed the case or wondered about it can receive updates on all that has happened since March by listening to the show segments. To do so, just go to the following links:

http://www.girardatlarge.com/2013/10/bedford-parents-speak-stephen-coco-case

http://www.girardatlarge.com/2013/10/hathaways-handling-of-coco-case-questioned/

I'll close this blog only with the heartfelt hope that everyone involved in this case will ultimately find peace and be able to move forward as stronger and better people. There's really no such thing as a winner in situations like this.