Vermont Rookie Police Officer Fatally Killed In Car Crash During A Police Chase

Authorities in Vermont have pressed charges against a suspect involved in a breaking-and-entering incident that resulted in the death of a rookie police officer, Jessica Ebbighausen. 

The 19-year-old part-time officer, who had plans to join the police academy in August, tragically lost her life in the incident. 

The defendant, Tate Rheaume, 20, remains in "serious but stable" condition at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, as stated by state police.

According to the police, Rheaume was allegedly attempting to break into a residence on East Washington Street on Friday. 

Upon the arrival of Rutland city police officers, Rheaume reportedly fled from the first officer he encountered, leading to a pursuit. 

The chase continued from East Washington Street to Stratton Road and eventually reached the intersection of Woodstock Avenue, also known as U.S. Route 4. Rheaume turned west on Woodstock Avenue, while additional Rutland police units were en route to provide assistance.

Officer Ebbighausen was operating one of the cruisers, accompanied by supervising officer Richard Caravaggio in the passenger seat. Officer Kelsey Parker was driving another vehicle, heading east on Woodstock Avenue. 

Rheaume allegedly crossed into the eastbound lanes, crashing into Ebbighausen's cruiser. The collision resulted in catastrophic damage to both vehicles, as described by the officers.

Jessica Ebbighausen

Investigation by the Vermont State Police (VSP) revealed that neither Officer Ebbighausen nor Officer Caravaggio were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, according to law enforcement officials. 

Rheaume's truck also collided with the second eastbound Rutland police cruiser, occupied by Officer Parker. Caravaggio and Parker have been discharged from the hospital, while Rheaume remains hospitalized and under the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections with bail set at $500,000.

In a solemn procession, nearly three dozen law enforcement officers and first responders escorted Officer Ebbighausen's body along U.S. Route 7 from the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington back to the city she faithfully served as a part-time officer since May 23. Ebbighausen had intended to pursue a full-time career in law enforcement, commencing next month with training at the Police Academy.

The Medical Examiner's Office determined that Ebbighausen's cause of death was blunt force trauma, although the manner of death is still under investigation. Rheaume currently faces charges of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting and attempting to elude with death resulting. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed in the future.

Source - Law And Crime