19-Year-Old Vermont Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen Dies During High-Speed Chase With Suspect

An accident occurred in Rutland, Vermont Friday resulting in the death of a rookie police officer. During a pursuit, the fleeing suspect crashed into the officer’s vehicle, killing her.

Jessica Ebbighausen recently joined the Rutland City Police Department on May 23 as a part-time officer. The Vermont State Police stated in a news release that Ebbighausen, 19, was slated to begin training at the Vermont Police Academy in August with the goal of becoming a full-time officer.

According to Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen, Ebbighausen had aspired to become a police officer since she was nine years old.

The incident unfolded at around 2:35 p.m. when police responded to a call regarding an attempted break-in at a home in Rutland. Shortly after the officers arrived at the scene, the suspect, a 20-year-old individual, fled in a truck.

During the chase, Ebbighausen was driving the vehicle with a full-time officer accompanying her in the passenger seat. The release noted that Ebbighausen, along with several other officers, joined the pursuit. The suspect, heading west, encountered Ebbighausen and another police cruiser as they approached from the opposite side of the road, ahead of the fleeing suspect. Police said suspect veered across the center line, resulting in a collision with Ebbighausen’s vehicle and the second cruiser.

Ebbighausen lost her life at the scene, state police said. The suspect, along with two officers, including Ebbighausen’s supervisor, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment.

On July 8, state police announced that the suspect faces charges of “grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting, and attempting to elude with death resulting.” The suspect’s bail has been set at $500,000, and an arraignment is scheduled for July 10, as stated in the release.

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