News

Heartbroken mother mourns daughter killed in fatal Cotuit crash

The mother of a young woman killed in a head-on collision in Cotuit following a police chase is now lashing out at Mashpee Police.

Kelly Spearman says she is looking for answers from police as to what led to the crash that took her daughter's life early Saturday morning.

"I'm angry for them chasing the way they did, maybe if they would have backed off a little bit, maybe my daughter would still be here," said Spearman. "I don't feel like it's real, my heart's broken. She was 24."

Jocelyn Goyette, 24, of New Bedford, was sitting on the passenger seat of 22-year-old Mickey Rivera's car when, while being chased by Mashpee Police, he swerved into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on with another car.

MORE: Mashpee police investigating officers' pursuit before fatal Cotuit crash

At the scene, Rivera and the other driver, 32-year-old Kevin Quinn, were pronounced dead following the crash. Quinn was on his way home from the hospital after visiting his wife and newborn daughter.

Goyette was transported to the hospital, but was declared dead on Sunday night, according to her family, who also said she is donating her organs.

"You took the life of a daughter, a mother, sister - you took her away from our family," said Spearman.

After four days, Mashpee Police haven't said much about the chase that lead to the fatal crash.

However, on Wednesday, Mashpee Police Chief Carline said his department is conducting an internal investigation into how his officers handled the chase and if proper protocol was followed:

The internal investigation into the facts and circumstances leading up to the tragic motor vehicle crash on July 28, 2018 is active and ongoing at this time. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an active internal investigation until all the facts have been gathered regarding this incident. The focus of the internal investigation is to determine if the actions of the police officers involved in the pursuit are consistent with the Mashpee Police Department's policy regarding police pursuits.

Police have not yet said why they were pursuing Rivera.

Goyette's family and friends say they are looking for answers into the crash that killed the New Bedford native who was engaged to be married.

Spearman says her daughter was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She added that, during the crash, Goyette was texting her cousin saying that she was scared.

"She was getting ready for her sister's baby shower the next day, she just wanted to go out with friends, have fun and everything went left," said Alyssa Love, Goyette's best friend.

0