A man has been charged after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 killed Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole, a 49-year-old father of four, on his way home for Thanksgiving. Keoma Duarte, 40, was arraigned from his hospital bed on Tuesday following the crash that occurred early Thursday. Prosecutors say Duarte was driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit. Investigators found seven empty vodka nips in his vehicle.
Duarte was driving his Tesla south in the northbound lane of I-95 when the crash occurred just minutes after he was seen on surveillance footage at a closed liquor store. Sgt. Cole, a dedicated officer who spent 15 years serving the college, was killed instantly in the collision.
Cole’s death has left his family, friends, and the Endicott College community devastated. The college will provide tuition benefits for his younger children to honor his memory. Duarte has been charged with several offenses and is being held on $500,000 cash bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month.
