HAMPTON, N.H. — The man accused of driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 and causing a deadly crash that killed a college police sergeant repeatedly denied his involvement in the incident, even after being confronted with surveillance footage and physical evidence, investigators said.
Keoma Duarte, 40, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, was arrested on May 28 following a months-long investigation by New Hampshire State Police. He was charged with two felony counts of reckless conduct and one misdemeanor count of disobeying an officer. He waived extradition and was transported to New Hampshire on Tuesday, where he remains held ahead of arraignment.
According to investigators, Duarte’s 2023 Tesla Model Y was seen by troopers traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Hampton just before midnight on Nov. 27. Troopers attempted to intercept the vehicle but Duarte continued driving into Massachusetts, where he struck another car head-on, killing 49-year-old Jeremy Cole of Exeter, N.H.
Cole, a sergeant with the Public Safety and Police Department at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, was headed home from his shift when the crash occurred. Duarte was seriously injured and hospitalized in the Boston area, but has since recovered.
Despite being shown evidence including surveillance video and crash data, Duarte “continued to deny” his role in the collision, according to statements from the New Hampshire State Police.
Surveillance footage contradicts suspect’s statements
The investigation revealed that Duarte had initially entered the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet parking lot off I-95 before exiting the wrong way at around 11:45 p.m. A trooper on patrol observed the vehicle within a minute. Officials said the footage clearly shows Duarte’s Tesla re-entering the highway from the closed store and continuing in the wrong direction.
Cole’s death prompted coordinated efforts between New Hampshire and Massachusetts authorities, culminating in Duarte’s recent arrest. He was taken into custody by Massachusetts State Police and the case remains under active investigation in both states.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Trooper Patrick Vetter at the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
The driver in a wrong-way crash that killed a college police sergeant denied involvement despite video and eyewitnesses, police say.
