Arrest Made in Connection to January Hit and Run Fatality in Seekonk

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III and Seekonk Police Chief Craig Mace today announced the arrest of a 24-year-old Attleboro man in connection to the January 30th Hit and Run death of Seekonk Assistant Town Clerk, Karen McHugh.

Seekonk Police, State Police Detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office arrested Jacob J. LaCourse at his 6 Daley Street, Attleboro, apartment Friday evening. Mr. LaCourse is charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident-Death Resulting and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle. A clerk has temporarily ordered Mr. LaCourse held in jail on $500,000 cash bail until he is formally arraigned Monday morning in Taunton District Court. Prior to his Friday arrest, Mr. LaCourse was free on bail on a pending Superior Court case.

On January 30th at around 10 pm, Seekonk Police and Fire were notified of an injured pedestrian in the area of 497 Arcade Ave. Shortly after first responders arrived on scene, it became apparent the victim, later identified as Ms. McHugh, had been struck by a vehicle which had left the scene. Ms. McHugh was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead later that same evening.

During the past six months, Seekonk Detective Sergeant David Enos, Massachusetts State Police Detective Melvin Rodriguez, and numerous members of both departments have been tirelessly following up on leads, speaking with potential witnesses and seeking the suspect vehicle in their joint investigation into this fatality.

Because the defendant has yet to be arraigned in open court, more details on the facts of the case cannot be disseminated at this time. More information on the investigation and the information that led to this weekend’s arrest will be discussed in open court tomorrow morning when Mr. LaCourse is arraigned.

Monday’s arraignment will be handled by Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane, who along with Co-First Assistant District Attorney Patrick Bomberg, coordinated the investigation.

“I would like to publicly recognize the tireless work of all the investigators in this case, specifically Seekonk Detective Sergeant David Enos and Seekonk Police Chief Craig Mace. For the past six months, these investigators have followed up on hundreds of potential leads and tips. This arrest results from their determination to seek justice for Karen McHugh.”
Contact:

Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell