A traffic infraction turned serious for a Brookline police officer who is now facing the consequences of a high-speed incident that resulted in a collision, causing injuries to both the officer and another driver. According to a report by NBC Boston, Officer John Bradley hit a vehicle while driving nearly 98 miles per hour just seconds before the impact. The incident, which occurred earlier this year in February on Hammond Street in Chestnut Hill, has sparked an investigation and a pending disciplinary process.
Brookline.News has obtained police reports through a public records request and has provided details of the crash. Officer Bradley, in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, sped up and activated his cruiser’s emergency lights before colliding into the back of a Honda sedan. Witnesses described the crash, which happened around 5 a.m., as "like an explosion." Event data recorders showed that Bradley was not wearing a seatbelt and was to admittedly drive at a speed that was clearly excessive for the situation at hand, clocking in at 97.9 miles per hour moments before the crash.
The consequences for Bradley's actions extend beyond the injuries as he has been cited for speeding and other traffic violations, as reported by NBC Boston. Additionally, the Brookline police confirmed that Bradley has violated department policy, which dictates that officers must operate vehicles in a "safe and reasonable manner." The disciplinary process is still ongoing, leaving the penalties he might face unresolved for the time being.
While public safety officers have certain immunities concerning traffic laws, Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell emphasized in an email to Brookline.News, "The law permits public safety officers to operate contrary to traffic rules in the performance of their duties, so long as they exercise caution for the safety of others," which did not clearly happen in Bradley's case. Meanwhile, the Brookline Police Union's president, Michael Keaveney, defended Bradley's character, recalling his years of service and noting, "All of John’s adult life has been about service to the community and to his country."
The incident is part of what appears to be a troubling pattern in the town, as it marks the first in a series of crashes involving Brookline police officers over a two-month span, including another where a pedestrian was struck. As the town grapples with the fallout of these incidents, questions regarding the adequacy of current policies and training for vehicle pursuits are inevitably raised. The full recovery of those injured and the resolution of Officer Bradley's disciplinary hearings remain to be seen.
