Judge Rules Vehicular Manslaughter Case Against Mass MoCA Director to Continue

The vehicular homicide case against Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Director Joe Thompson will continue following a judge's ruling. Judge Paul Vrabel has denied a motion to dismiss the case against Thompson filed by his attorney, Timothy Shugrue. Oral arguments on the motion were heard on Jan. 31 in Northern Berkshire District Court.

Shugrue argued there was not enough probable cause to warrant the charges against Thompson in connection with the July, 20, 2018, crash in which motorcyclist Steven Fortier was killed.

The Berkshire Eagle reports Thompson, 61, told police he was driving north on Church Street shortly after 10 p.m. when he saw a single headlight coming toward him around the bend where Ashland Street merges with Church Street. He said he veered into the opposite lane but couldn't avoid the collision.