Officer Who Ran Over, Killed Student Cleared Of Wrongdoing

A Cape Cod police officer who ran over and killed a college student while responding to a business alarm on New Year's Day has been cleared of wrongdoing.

An investigation by the Cape and Islands district attorney's office determined that Chatham Officer Christopher Vardarkis will not face charges.

Authorities say Vardarkis struck Garrett Gagne as he lay on an unlit Chatham street at about 4 a.m. on Jan. 1.

The 22-year-old Gagne, from Longmeadow, was on the Cape to celebrate New Year's Eve. He was a senior government major and lacrosse player at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

The Cape Cod Times reports the investigation found that Gagne had alcohol and illicit drugs in his system.

Drug and alcohol tests on Vardarkis determined he was not impaired.