STOUGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS (December 23, 2025) – A man identified as John Smith has died and his wife, identified as Syndi Smith, was injured in a Stoughton car accident during a police pursuit.
Norfolk County officials are saying that the accident took place on Saturday. Brockton police officers attempted to stop a pickup truck that was driven by a 27-year-old man.
That driver fled the scene and led officers on a pursuit into Stoughton. The driver of the pickup truck proceeded to operate his vehicle erratically before colliding with a sedan, according to the district attorney’s office. The officer from Stoughton was not able to keep up with the suspect’s vehicle because of how fast he was going.
John Smith and Syndi Smith were occupants of the sedan hit by the fleeing pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck then left the scene of that collision before being apprehended at a later time.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victims. Tragically, John Smith died due to the severe nature of his injuries. Syndi Smith was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The 27-year-old driver involved in the crash has since been charged with motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.
Municipal Liability for Stoughton Police Pursuit Accidents
In Massachusetts, a police department could be liable for a motor vehicle collision during a police pursuit under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act (MTCA). In particular, municipal liability may apply if it can be shown that pursuing officers acted negligently or with a reckless disregard for the safety of the public. Police officers in Massachusetts must follow certain rules when determining when to pursue a suspect or end a pursuit.
- Violent Felony: Police pursuits should only be used when a suspect is wanted for a violent felony or other serious crime. They should not be used as a method to capture suspects wanted for minor traffic violations.
- Immediate Threat: Police pursuit should only be used when the officer believes that a suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the public if they are not apprehended.
- Approval: Police pursuits should only be used when the pursuing officer has approval to engage in a pursuit by their supervisors.
- Unreasonable Risk: Police pursuits should be terminated if traffic, weather, road conditions, or speed create a high risk to public safety.
- Visual Contact: Police pursuits should be terminated if the pursuing officer loses visual contact with the suspect.
- Termination: Police pursuits should be terminated if a supervisor orders a termination or if the pursuit violates department policy.
Despite police department policies related to pursuits, many officers choose to engage in high-speed pursuits through dense urban areas. This creates a foreseeable risk of harm.
Many lawsuits have been filed after police pursuits in Massachusetts. Consider, for example, Harrison v. Town of Mattapoisett, 78 Mass. App. Ct. 367 (2010). Police officers initiated a high-speed pursuit on public roads. That pursuit resulted in the suspect losing control of their vehicle and crashing into an innocent bystander’s vehicle and seriously injuring them. The Massachusetts Court of Appeal ruled a jury could find the conduct of the pursuing officer materially contributed to the collision.
Police pursuits are among the most dangerous tactics that police officers use to apprehend suspects. They must only be used as a measure of last resort given the serious hazards that they pose to the public.
Steps to Take After Massachusetts Police Pursuit Accidents
Far too many people are seriously injured or killed every year in preventable accidents that were the result of police pursuits. The number of fatalities has dramatically increased in recent years. According to one study in JAMA Network, “[from 2017 to 2021] the US experienced 4415 police pursuit fatalities, with a statistically significant increasing trend.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any police pursuit.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to injuries should be collected. These records could be an important piece of evidence for determining how a crash took place.
- Department Policies: Most police departments have written policies related to pursuits and when these pursuits must be terminated. Getting access to these documents can be critical in demonstrating that officers violated their own department’s policies.
- Dash Cam Footage: All police vehicles in Massachusetts come equipped with dash cameras. The footage that these cameras captured should be thoroughly reviewed.
- Independent Review: Any person injured in a police pursuit should seek an independent review of the accident by a personal injury attorney with experience in tort claims. This team can help determine if pursuing officers and their department could be liable for the collision.
The vast majority of accidents involving police pursuits are entirely preventable. They tend to involve officers that are not following their department’s own policies with respect to pursuits. Unfortunately, police departments will virtually never accept responsibility when one of their officers engages in a pursuit that seriously injures or kills a bystander. This is why it is so important that all police pursuits resulting in injury or death are independently reviewed. Victims of police pursuits are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action. This right also extends to the surviving family members of any person who dies.
Attorney Help Investigating Massachusetts Police Pursuit Accidents
DiBella Law extends our deepest condolences to the family of John Smith. It is our sincere hope that Syndi Smith will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Many different questions remain unanswered. What person authorized this high-speed pursuit? How was this pursuit allowed to continue at such high speeds? What are the Brockton Police Department’s policies for engaging in and terminating pursuits?
Do you need more information about a police pursuit involving the Brockton Police Department? Our team of accident attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that police departments are held fully accountable for the reckless actions of their officers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.