*** WATCH *** Unidentified woman shoves HN as State Police take...

UPDATE FROM SANDWICH PD – 9/12/26 @ 11AM:

Sandwich Police Officer on administrative leave after Friday night off-duty incident.

Sandwich Police Officer Matthew Cotter has been placed on administrative leave after an off-duty vehicle crash on Friday, September 11, 2026. Police received a report of a motor vehicle crash on Grand Oak Road in Forestdale at approximately 9:30pm.

The caller reported a vehicle had driven through her bushes and struck her parked car.

When Sandwich Officers arrived on scene, Officer Cotter was identified as the operator and he was uninjured. Based on observations of responding units, officers suspected Cotter may be impaired. A request was made to the Massachusetts State Police to investigate the crash. Cotter was subsequently arrested on OUI related charges and transported to the Massachusetts State Police Bourne Barracks for processing.

While the investigation was ongoing, a relative of Cotter’s arrived on scene. It was reported to police by an independent news videographer, that the relative while being verbally abusive to him, also assaulted him. The Sandwich Police Department is investigating the incident.

The Sandwich Police Department and its members hold each other and themselves to the highest standards. In addition to the criminal charges taken by the Massachusetts State Police, the Sandwich Police Department will be conducting a thorough internal investigation.

The members of the Sandwich Police Department remain committed to serving the community with integrity, honor, and accountability.

INITIAL HN REPORT & VIDEO:

SANDWICH, MASSACHUSETTS — Chaos erupted Friday night during a crash investigation on Grand Oak Road after Sandwich Police called in a Massachusetts State Police sergeant to conduct field sobriety tests. A man was taken into custody at the scene.

The single-vehicle crash, involving a black SUV with moderate damage, landed in the driveway of a residence sometime around 9:30 p.m. Sandwich Fire Department personnel responded to evaluate the driver and address hazardous fluids.

Hyannis News Notes:

I began responding when it was announced over the radio that the driver of the crashed SUV was possibly an “off-duty officer…” Sandwich Police, an agency trained and capable of conducting their own OUI investigations, requested State Police. Officers on scene appeared to be “doing things by the numbers,” cautiously following department investigative protocols.

I arrived behind a state trooper who responded with blue lights activated and began documenting the investigation — which likely involved a public official as the suspect — from a distance so as not to interfere. I captured video with a camera suited for low-light scenes.

While I was filming, an unidentified female inserted herself into the scene next to Sandwich Police officers. It appeared she was part of the investigation. It also appeared she was trying to block my camera’s view. The woman began to verbally insult me while approaching with her own camera out. I indicated I had no problem with her filming me.

The situation escalated once the state trooper placed the adult male suspect into handcuffs. Once the scene was secured, I moved closer — it was then safe to use on-camera lighting — to document the trooper placing the suspect, possibly an “off-duty officer,” into a State Police cruiser.

The unidentified woman then rushed forward, began violently pushing me, and yelled a barrage of profanities and insults. She interfered with my ability to do my job. A Sandwich Police patrolman stepped in and separated her from me.

I am in my 60s. I own Hyannis News and I am its only photojournalist. I have worked around emergency scenes for more than 40 years (nearly 20 as a photojournalist) and I have been attacked on occasion while doing this work. In recent years I have worn a body camera; the flashing red light appears to have reduced such incidents. After the confrontation I began to report the attack to Sandwich Police but noticed my heart rate was very high due to a health condition that usually happens after I am attacked. I told officers I would follow up later and left for Hyannis, where I felt safer.

After crossing into Hyannis I pulled alongside a parked Barnstable Police cruiser. The officer, a friend who was not on a call, listened as I debriefed. My heart rate returned to a level where I felt safe to drive home. That Barnstable officer, who shall remain confidential, is a credit to the profession. Thank you officer, and God bless!

This is a developing story. Certain elements, including the status of the driver, have not yet been officially confirmed. My video documents portions of Friday evening’s scene in Sandwich. Hyannis News footage has previously been used in court by both the defense and prosecution; in at least one OUI case it contributed to a not-guilty finding. My role is to document.

HN Reminder: This is a developing story. The initial details contained in the above report are based on radio transmissions and information from sources on scene. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

[Hyannis News Video – Press Play]