Endicott Police Sgt. Hundreds of people mourned Jeremy Cole in Beverly

Cole, 49, was killed Wednesday, Nov. 27, after his vehicle was struck head-on on I-95 North by a man who was allegedly driving the wrong way under the influence of alcohol, officials said. Cole was driving home after finishing his night shift, authorities said.

The driver, identified as Keoma Duarte, 40, of New Bedford, was arraigned Tuesday in Newburyport District Court via Zoom from his bed at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.

He is charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol and several other crimes, including driving the wrong way on a state highway, prosecutors said.

Duarte pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office, his bond was set at $500,000.

Cole’s death has led to an outpouring of support from local law enforcement agencies offering assistance “during this difficult time,” Endicott Police Chief Kerry Ramsdell said in a statement Wednesday.

According to his obituary posted online, Cole, who earned an associate’s degree from Endicott in 2017, was working on his bachelor’s degree at the time of his death.

As of Monday evening, an online fundraiser for his family had raised over $117,000.

Kiera McDonald can be reached at [email protected].