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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley has been indicted on felony motor vehicle homicide charges in connection with a deadly December 2023 crash in Woburn that killed a 37-year-old man with disabilities, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced Thursday. The indictment stems from a Dec. 12, 2023, collision where Quigley, who was off-duty at the time, struck a van carrying the victim, a man with disabilities, according to investigators.
The victim died approximately one month after the crash on Jan. 13, 2024, from injuries sustained in the collision, prosecutors said. The driver of the van was also injured in the incident, though the extent of those injuries was not specified by authorities. Quigley faces the most serious motor vehicle charge under Massachusetts law, which carries potential prison time for causing a death while operating a vehicle.
A critical aspect of the case involves allegations that Quigley was driving under the influence at the time of the crash. According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Quigley’s blood alcohol content was reported at .11 – significantly over the legal limit of .08. Despite this elevated BAC level, Quigley received only a warning for crossing marked lanes following the crash, raising questions about the initial handling of the incident by law enforcement.
The case remained largely out of public view until it surfaced during an unrelated murder investigation in Lowell District Court, where Quigley had served as the lead investigator. Defense attorneys in that murder case, which resulted in three men being arrested and held for years, began questioning Quigley’s credibility as a witness. The defense team alleged that Massachusetts State Police may have covered up information about the crash involving one of their own officers, bringing the matter to broader attention.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan stated that her office was unaware of the allegations against Quigley until jury impanelment began in the murder case. Once the accusations came to light, Ryan’s office referred the matter to Suffolk County prosecutors in January for independent review and potential prosecution. Quigley was subsequently placed on unpaid leave from the Massachusetts State Police as the investigation proceeded.
Following the crash, Quigley was placed on injury leave for eight months, during which time the victim’s family pursued civil action. Quigley was named as a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the victim’s estate, seeking damages for the loss of the 37-year-old man who required specialized care due to his disabilities.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The indictment represents a significant escalation in the case, with Suffolk County prosecutors determining there was sufficient evidence to charge Quigley with felony motor vehicle homicide. This charge indicates prosecutors believe they can prove Quigley operated his vehicle in a manner that was criminally negligent or reckless, resulting in the victim’s death.
An ongoing investigation is examining other aspects of the case, particularly focusing on how Massachusetts State Police initially handled the incident. Among the key questions investigators are pursuing is whether proper protocols were followed when a fellow officer was involved in a fatal crash, especially given the reported blood alcohol level and the fact that Quigley received only a warning for crossing marked lanes rather than facing immediate drunk driving charges.
Massachusetts State Police officials have announced they will initiate an independent internal investigation into the matter, separate from the criminal proceedings. This internal review will likely examine department policies, the actions of responding officers, and whether any procedural violations occurred in the handling of the crash investigation.