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Quincy PD report: Man hit by Randolph cruiser at fault for not being in crosswalk

By Boston25News.com Staff
Randolph police pedestrian crash diagram A diagram made by Quincy police while investigating the circumstances surrounding a Randolph police cruiser hitting and seriously injuring a man who was crossing the road in August 2020.
By Boston25News.com Staff

RANDOLPH, Mass. — A Randolph police officer has been cleared of wrong-doing after an investigation conducted by Quincy police found that he was operating his vehicle in a “safe and controlled manner” when he hit a pedestrian in August.

Police say the officer, identified as Officer Steven Elman, was responding to a call at the time of the crash and had his lights and sirens on.

The crash victim, 29-year-old Christopher Divens, is recovering from serious injuries after being struck by the police cruiser while crossing North Main Street on Aug. 25.

Earlier this month, Divens told Boston 25 News he was walking home after being involved in a car crash less than an hour before he was hit by the vehicle.

A summary of the report, released by a public relations firm, listed the following bullet points:

  • The pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway outside of a crosswalk at the time
  • The officer had properly activated his emergency lights and siren as he was responding to an emergency call for service
  • The cruiser was traveling approximately 42 mph and the officer was operating the cruiser in a “safe and controlled manner” before the accident

The report stated that “this crash was unavoidable and further resulted in non-fatal injuries to [the pedestrian] due to the quick and decisive actions made by [the officer] that evening.”

According to the report, the officer was driving 42 mph on North Main Street, which has a posted speed limit of 35 mph, with lights and sirens on when Divens was hit. The lights and sirens “should have further made Divens aware of [the officer’s] location and quick approach,” the report states.

Police say Divens may have been distracted as he was on his cell phone speaking with his wife.

“There was a fully marked out crosswalk at School Lane indicating the location that Divens should have crossed North Main Street,” the report states. “The crosswalk is approximately 135′-11” from [where Divens was hit.]"

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