Nearly 10 Months After Fatal Crash, Greenfield Police Sergeant Charged

A Greenfield, Massachusetts, police sergeant will be arraigned Wednesday on a vehicular homicide charge. The crash last fall killed a New Hampshire man.

On the evening on October 1, Sergeant James B. Rode left the police station responding to a report of an erratic driver near the Greenfield-Deerfield line, according to a statement from District Attorney David Sullivan's office.

Rode was driving on High Street past Baystate Franklin hospital when his cruiser struck another vehicle. The DA said an investigation found Rode was driving more than 80 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The driver of the other vehicle, 29-year-old James Arcellana from nearby Hinsdale, New Hampshire, was killed. Both his passenger and Rode received serious injuries.

Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh said Rode has been on paid "injured on duty" status since the crash.

"Our thoughts are with all those who continue to be affected by this tragic event, and I ask for patience with regard to this ongoing matter," Haigh said in a statement.

Rode joined the department in 2002, and was promoted to sergeant in 2015.

If convicted of negligent motor vehicle homicide, the district attorney said Rode faces up to 2-and-a-half years in jail.

Rode could not be reached for comment.