Massachusetts

Teen Facing Negligent Homicide Charge in Crash That Killed Officer

What to Know

  • Somerville police officer Louis Remigio, 55, died Oct. 9 after a crash on I-95 in New Hampshire. He was a 30-year veteran.
  • Authorities said Mike Ricci, 18, crossed the median in a Mercedes-Benz while racing other cars, striking Remigio's Harley Davidson.
  • Police said Ricci was taken into custody on Oct. 10 at his home in Burlington, Massachusetts, for an alleged probation violation.

A teenager charged in connection with a highway crash that killed an off-duty Massachusetts police officer is facing six additional charges, including negligent homicide.

Michael Ricci, 18, of Burlington, Massachusetts, is accused of causing a crash that killed 55-year-old Somerville, Massachusetts officer Louis Remigio earlier this month. 

Ricci will appear in court on Oct. 20 on the negligent homicide charge, four counts of reckless conduct and second degree assault, according to court documents.

State police said Ricci may have been racing other vehicles on Interstate 95 in Hampton, New Hampshire on October 8, when he veered into oncoming traffic, striking a motorcycle operated by Remigio.

Remigio died at Portsmouth Regional Hospital the next night. Ricci was not injured in the crash.

Ricci was taken into custody on Oct. 10 at his home in Burlington, Massachusetts, for an alleged probation violation. Police said the alleged probation violation was related to an incident that occurred before Sunday morning's crash.

He appeared in court on Oct. 11 to answer to that charge.

Ricci originally faced a felony reckless conduct charge in connection with Remigio's death. He was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 20 on that charge.

Ricci has an extensive history with law enforcement dating back many years which includes traffic and drug offenses, according to sources.

Remigio, a 30-year veteran of the force, received multiple awards for service to the community, including two Life-Saving Awards, a Meritorious Service Award, a Beyond the Call of Duty Award, and numerous commendations by his colleagues and community members.

Somerville Police Chief David Fallon remembered Remigio.

"If you want an officer responding to you when you're in need, you want it to be Officer Remigio," Fallon said. "Brave, courageous, gentle, empathetic, kind... he epitomized 21st century policing."

"We'll never fill the void of Officer Remigio," he added. "But we're going to do what we do every day. We're going to answer the bell."

At his funeral, family members recounted how one Remigio's greatest gifts was to be in the moment.

"We all felt so wonderful in his presence because when he spoke with you, you had him," said Dan Remigio, his cousin. "He gave you all his attention. He made you feel so validated, so important. I think he did that for so many people in the community, and these people have come forward in the last couple days to tell us this."

Ricci's driver's license has been revoked. It is not clear if he has an attorney.

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