Canton,MA : Stoughton police sergeant driver in fatal Canton crash on February, Saturday 10th 2018

An off-duty Stoughton police sergeant was the driver who struck and killed a pedestrian late Saturday morning, officials said.

The Enterprise has learned that Stoughton police Sgt. Paul Williams was the driver of a GMC Sierra pick-up truck that hit and killed 74-year-old Ralph Hawkins.

The crash occurred about 11:20 a.m. in the driveway of 147 High St.

Williams, 48, has not been charged in the fatal crash as of Sunday night. It wasn’t immediately clear if he has been placed on administrative leave at the Stoughton Police Department.

Stoughton police Lt. John Bonney, a department spokesman, released a statement to The Enterprise on Sunday night, but would not confirm whether an officer was involved.

“We have been made aware of the fatal crash in Canton on Saturday morning,” he said. “This is a trying time for all families involved and we express our sincere condolences to Mr. Hawkins’ family.”

Police say “for reasons still under investigation,” Williams’ truck left the roadway, crossed over the lawn at 145 High St. and then struck Hawkins, who was standing in the driveway.

Neighbors told The Enterprise’s news partner, WCVB-TV, that Hawkins was across the street helping a neighbor with her vehicle at the time.

“There are cars that fly up and down this street all the time,” resident Mary Ellis told Channel 5. “Where actually the truck had gone in is actually a bus stop.”


Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz also denied to identify the driver involved in the crash.

Bonney referred all inquires to the Norfolk County district attorney’s office. A spokeswoman did not immediately return a request for comment on Sunday night.

“The district attorney’s office, in conjunction with the State Police and the Canton Police Department, will most certainly conduct a thorough investigation,” Bonney said.

Williams is a longtime Stoughton police officer. In 2012, then-chief Paul Shastany awarded him with the department’s highest honor, the medal of valor, for rescuing several hostages and taking a suspect into custody during an armed robbery at a Walgreens.

Saturday’s crash is being investigated by members of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, with assistance from Troop H detectives, the Crime Scene Services Section and Canton police.

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Stoughton police sergeant driver in fatal Canton crash