At around 12 a.m., New Hampshire State Police reported that a Tesla was driving south into Massachusetts on I-95, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. One of the cars involved in the crash was driving south in the northbound lane, the Newbury Police Department said in its own statement.

New Hampshire State Police and Massachusetts State Police monitored the Tesla while law enforcement officials prepared to place a tire-deflation device on the roadway in Georgetown, state police said.

But before the Tesla could reach the device, it struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer at mile marker 81.5 in Newbury. To keep other drivers safe, first responders closed I-95 in both directions for several hours.

Cole was pronounced dead, State Police said.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for our department,” Ramsdell said. “We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Sgt. Cole was not only a dedicated public servant and prior recipient of a lifesaving award, but also a cherished member of our team.”

Cole was honored in 2021 by the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. He and Officer Sean Gannon rescued a person who was not breathing while on the campus softball field. They used oxygen and an automatic external defibrillator until the patient resumed breathing.

“The quick and professional response of Officer Gannon and Sgt. Cole likely saved the patient’s life,” campus police said in a statement on Facebook.

With Cole’s death on Thanksgiving, “our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of a police officer who reported for duty keeping the rest of us safe and secure but did not return home. We are committed to supporting them in any way we can through this unimaginable grief,” Ramsdell said.

The police chief asked for privacy for Cole’s family.

The Tesla driver, a man in his 40s from southeastern Massachusetts, was seriously hurt and was flown to a Boston hospital. He is expected to face charges, State Police said.

 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.