A 19-year-old police trainee in Vermont lost her life during a high-speed pursuit after failing to wear a seatbelt, a damning internal investigation has concluded, describing her death as 'preventable'.
A Fatal Collision and Upgraded Charges
The tragedy unfolded on July 7, 2023, in Rutland. Jessica Ebbighausen, a part-time officer with the Rutland City Police Department for less than two months, was involved in the pursuit of Tate Rheaume, 22. Rheaume's pickup truck collided with Ebbighausen's cruiser at an estimated 76 to 82mph.
Because she was not secured by a seatbelt, Ebbighausen was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Months later, charges against Rheaume were upgraded to aggravated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence without parole in Vermont.
Internal Report Points to Systemic Failures
The case took a significant turn when Rheaume's attorney, David Sleigh, uncovered an internal police report. The document, authored by Rutland City Police Commander Sam Delpha, states officers did not follow required procedures.
'The death of Officer Ebbighausen WAS preventable,' Delpha wrote in the nine-page report. 'The pursuit should have never started. The specific parts of the vehicle pursuit policy were put in place to prevent this exact sort of thing.'
The report critically notes that Ebbighausen was driving under the supervision of Officer Richard Carvaggio, and neither was wearing a seatbelt. Other officers involved included Jared Dumas, who has since resigned, and Sgt. Jon Dickerson.
Defence Seeks to Undermine Murder Case
Attorney David Sleigh argues the internal findings are a crucial mitigating factor for his client. The aggravated murder charge hinges on the theory Rheaume was evading a lawful police pursuit.
'I think the IA report calls into question whether the pursuit was lawful at all,' Sleigh stated. He suggested the report could lead to a motion to dismiss the aggravated murder charge, as it places responsibility on the officers' actions.
Commander Delpha's report concluded the initial officer, Jared Dumas, lacked probable cause to arrest Rheaume for a crime serious enough to justify a high-speed chase under department policy, which reserves pursuits for violent felonies.
The internal investigation, not initially disclosed by prosecutors, was obtained by Sleigh through witness depositions and a subpoena. It remains unclear if the officers involved will face disciplinary action for the incident, which occurred over two years ago.
