South Shore police officer arraigned on charges in death of pedestrian found in snowbank

A South Shore police officer, placed on leave after his arrest in connection with a collision that cost the life of a pedestrian, appeared before a judge on Tuesday.

Thomas Hayes, a 36-year-old member of the Hanover Police Department, was arraigned in Brockton District Court on charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury or death of Alfredo Alves, 23, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz.

Hayes was held on $15,000 bail and ordered not to operate any motor vehicle as a condition of his release.

Officers responding to the intersection of Battles and Cross streets early Monday morning found an unconscious man, later identified as Alves, lying in a snowbank, authorities said.

Alves was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After the shooting, a witness in the vehicle that struck Alves voluntarily came forward to the Brockton Police Department and identified Hayes as the driver of a 2022 Ford Explorer involved in the crash, according to prosecutors. He was not on duty at the time of the incident.

Police said the windshield of Hayes’ Explorer was damaged, consistent with a pedestrian crash, and investigators recovered surveillance video showing the vehicle traveling in Brockton before the crash.

In a statement, Hanover Police Chief Timothy Kane announced that Hayes had been placed on leave, saying, “We require our officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. Accountability and transparency are essential to maintaining public trust…The Hanover Police Department remains committed to serving our community with professionalism, integrity and respect.”

Hayes was arrested at his home without incident. He is due back in court on March 31.

State police are assisting Brockton police with their investigation into the crash.

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