State Police Sgt. Scott Quigley indicted in deadly Woburn crash

A State Police sergeant was indicted on a motor vehicle homicide charge Thursday after prosecutors say he was driving drunk when he caused a 2023 crash that killed a man in Woburn.

Sgt. Scott Quigley was driving negligently and under the influence when his unmarked State Police cruiser crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a van that was ferrying Angelo Schettino back to his group home in Lynn on Dec. 12, 2023, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office alleged. 

Schettino, a 37-year-old who had developmental disabilities and used a wheelchair, died a month later of his injuries, prosecutors said. The van driver was also injured in the crash. 

Quigley was on injury leave for eight months afterward, according to prosecutors.

The deadly collision saw renewed interest earlier this year after concerns about Quigley’s past delayed the retrial of a Lowell murder case he investigated. While the 2023 crash happened in Woburn, the Suffolk DA’s office is handling Quigley’s prosecution because he has worked as a State Police detective in Middlesex County. 

On Thursday, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble released a statement on the incident.

“The Massachusetts State Police will not tolerate the disturbing misconduct alleged in today’s indictment,” Noble wrote. “We will continue to cooperate with the criminal justice process, and do everything we can to protect the integrity of the Department, the reputation of the many Troopers who serve honorably, and the public’s trust, which is essential to our mission.

“I expect and demand that our members understand their responsibility to act with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and respect for the law. Anything short of that standard will be met with a thorough investigation and meaningful accountability.”

Quigley will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date, prosecutors said.

“From the outset, Sergeant Quigley has consistently maintained that this was an unfortunate and tragic accident — not a criminal act,” his attorney, Christina Pujals Ronan, said. “He remains confident that the objective evidence will ultimately support his account of what occurred.”

The sergeant and his family “remain deeply saddened by the loss of life and extend their sincere sympathy to the Schettino family and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” she added. “We ask that the public allow the investigation to proceed fairly and without speculation.”

In announcing Thursday’s indictment, the Suffolk DA’s office emphasized that its investigation remains ongoing. 

“Other aspects of the case and its initial handling by State Police, which resulted in a warning to Quigley for crossing marked lanes, remain under investigation,” prosecutors said.

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

Be civil. Be kind.

Read our full community guidelines.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address