The quiet rhythm of a Saturday morning in Stoughton was shattered yesterday by a tragedy that has left a neighborhood in mourning and a family searching for answers. What started as a police chase in a neighboring city ended at the intersection of Pleasant and Prospect streets, claiming the life of a beloved 84-year-old local man. His 78-year-old companion remains in a Boston hospital tonight, fighting to recover from serious injuries sustained in the violent collision.
It all began just across the town line in Brockton. Authorities say 26-year-old Jason Ortiz was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that sped away from Brockton Police officers. The pursuit didn’t last long, but its impact will be felt for a lifetime. As the truck hurtled into Stoughton, it slammed into the car carrying the elderly couple, turning a routine drive into a scene of absolute devastation.
The impact was so severe that the Stoughton Fire Department had to rush both victims to emergency rooms immediately. Despite the best efforts of doctors, the 84-year-old man passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Neighbors describe the couple as staples of the community—people who had spent decades building a life here, known for their kindness and their deep roots in the town.
In the chaotic moments following the crash, Ortiz and a male passenger allegedly jumped out of the wrecked pickup truck and tried to make a run for it. They didn’t get far. Stoughton Police, backed by Brockton officers and K9 units, swarmed the area and tracked them down quickly. Seeing the suspects being led away in handcuffs offered a small sense of closure to witnesses, but it does little to ease the heartbreak hanging over the town.
Jason Ortiz is now facing a long list of serious charges. Prosecutors have hit him with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and failing to stop for police. He is also being held accountable for the injuries caused to the 78-year-old woman and the property damage left in his wake. It is a heavy slate of charges for a young man whose split-second decision to flee has caused permanent damage.
Police Chief Donna McNamara has been clear that this is a top priority for her department. Local investigators are working side-by-side with the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and specialized State Police collision teams to reconstruct exactly what happened. They are looking into every detail of the pursuit to ensure that justice is served for the family that was torn apart on a Saturday morning.
Tonight, the names of the victims are being held close to the vest out of respect for their grieving relatives, but their absence is already felt. This wasn’t just a traffic accident; it was a loss of a pillar of the community. As the investigation continues, the people of Stoughton are holding their loved ones a little tighter, reminded of how quickly life can change when someone else chooses recklessness over safety.
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