Elderly Driver Pleads Innocent in Massachusetts Officer’s Death

A 79-year-old Massachusetts man has pleaded not guilty to negligent motor vehicle homicide in the death of a Weymouth police officer who was killed while he was directing traffic.

Ronald Gale, of Weymouth, is charged with going through a stop sign, hitting another car and pinning Officer Michael Davey to a utility truck on Aug. 24.

If convicted, Gale faces a maximum penalty of 21/2 years in prison.

During Gale’s arraignment Thursday in Norfolk Superior Court, a prosecutor said Gale continued to press on the gas pedal for at least 30 seconds after the accident, causing his tires to screech and smoke.

Gale’s lawyer said Gale has health problems and was on medication at the time of the accident.

Davey’s death renewed calls for increased driver testing for elderly drivers.