Thursday, 4:30 PM
Beverly officer claims he suffered a seizure before fatal crash
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
A Beverly police officer suffered a seizure just before his cruiser rammed into another car in January, killing a 61-year-old woman, the officer's attorney said today.
"I believe he had a medical emergency that rendered him unconscious prior to the impact. He was not in control of the car. He had some type of seizure," said Neil Rossman, who is representing Stuart Merry.
Merry, 40, pleaded not guilty today in Peabody District Court to motor vehicle homicide and other charges stemming from the Jan. 20 crash on Cabot Street that killed Bonney Burns.
Merry was charged after a monthslong investigation by State Police and Essex County prosecutors. A clerk magistrate held a hearing earlier this month and found probable cause to issue the charges.
The officer is facing criminal charges of motor vehicle homicide and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle as well as civil speeding and marked lanes violations.
Burns, who was sitting in her car in front of her home when she was hit, was described by friends and relatives as a semi-retired registered dietitian who loved to square dance.
In a telephone interview, Rossman said Merry has had another seizure since the crash, but declined to be more specific, citing Merry's right to privacy.
Merry was released on personal recognizance and is currently on medical leave from the department, Rossman said.
"He wants nothing more than to get this thing off his back and get physically cleared to come back to work and go back out on the street," Rossman said. "He loves his job, and he's a good man."
Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office said it had no comment on the case because it was pending in the courts.
