Northampton man arraigned on charges in connection with death of Rhonda Thompson of Shelburne

SHELBURNE – Peter E. Toomey, 51, of Northampton, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court  Wednesday to charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death; negligent motor vehicle homicide; and failure to stay in marked lanes in connection with the death of 45-year-old Rhonda Thompson, who was taking her morning walk around 6:30 a.m. in the breakdown lane of Route 2 in Shelburne Tuesday.

Greenfield District Court Judge Mark Pasquariello set bail at $25,000 cash, and further ordered that If Toomey posts that bail, he will be required to surrender his drivers license to the Court, not operate a motor vehicle, not leave the state, and report to the Greenfield Probation Department twice per week. 

Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Joseph Webber, who presented the case for the state, asked the Court to set bail at $50,000 cash, noting that Toomey did not stop after he struck Thompson.  Webber argued that Toomey falsely told police that his truck had struck a deer the previous evening, causing heavy front-end damage.  Webber also argued that Toomey tried to get a friend of his to corroborate his deer story.  According to Webber, when Toomey was placed under arrested and informed of the charges, he stated he did not stop because Thompson was with someone, whom he assumed would summon help.

Webber also stated that the case is likely to be indicted and prosecuted in Superior Court, where defendants can be sentenced to state prison.

Defense Attorney Jonah Goldsmith asked the Court to set bail at $1,000 cash with the condition that Toomey not drive.  Goldsmith argued that Toomey would be unable to post a higher bail, is employed and has family in the area, and is not a flight risk. 

The crash remains under investigation by State Police Detectives attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office as well as the State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

The case is next scheduled for July 8, 2021 for a bindover hearing, at which the Court will review whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to Superior Court.