Chelsea Police Officer John Bruttaniti, who was killed in a Thursday night crash on the Lynnway, was hailed as “a true gentleman who was deeply respected by everyone around him.”
BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — A Lynnway crash late Thursday night killed an off-duty Chelsea police officer.
John Bruttaniti, 41, of Lynn died in the 10:27 p.m. accident in the northbound lane near Commercial Street, said State Police.
State Police said a preliminary investigation by Trooper Nicholas Fiore indicated Bruttaniti lost control of his motorcycle and struck a 2005 Honda CRF450 motorcycle operated by a 25-year-old male from Lynn. Bruttaniti’s motorcycle struck a utility pole and Bruttaniti sustained fatal injuries and was determined to be deceased at the scene, police said.
The Honda’s operator was taken to Union Hospital. Cause of the crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. No charges have been filed. The Lynnway’s northbound lane between Commercial Street and Marine Boulevard was closed for nearly four hours into Friday morning.
“John was the true definition of a dedicated public servant to the people of Chelsea and the country, having worked at the Chelsea Police Department since 2008 and at the Chelsea Fire Department from 2005-2008 and served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan in 2003-2004,” said Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes in a statement. “He was a true gentleman who was deeply respected by everyone around him.”
Bruttaniti received the Police Department’s Lifesaving Medal in 2015 for saving a toddler who was choking on a penny.
“On behalf of the entire City of Chelsea and the Chelsea Police Department, I convey my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to John’s family,” said Kyes.
Chelsea Police Department commanders have been assigned to serve as liaisons to Bruttaniti’s family and the funeral home “during this time of loss and need.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
The crash was the second fatal accident on the Lynnway this year. A Feb. 27 vehicle crash killed two people.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].