Officer in Vermont Accused of Watching Matt Walsh Video Momentarily Before Colliding with Cyclist
Police Sergeant Kyle Kapitanski of Shelburne, Vermont, faces charges of gross negligent operation leading to a death after a fatal crash involving a cyclist, Sean Hayes. According to NBC 5, Kapitanski was reportedly driving five miles over the speed limit while watching YouTube videos on a department-issued iPad.
The tragic accident occurred on November 14, 2024. Hayes, 38, had stepped out of his bicycle and was standing near the curb when Kapitanski's cruiser struck him, resulting in Hayes' death at the scene due to head trauma.
The YouTube video Kapitanski was watching before the crash had the title, "Trans woman CONFRONTING Matt Walsh takes UNEXPECTED turn." Court documents indicate no user interaction with the videos, but it is unclear if other videos were viewed before the crash.
Matt Walsh, a well-known anti-trans bigot in the U.S., is associated with the video. Walsh, who describes himself as a "theocratic fascist," often posts inflammatory content online targeting the trans community.
Kapitanski's lawyer, David Sleigh, questions the felony charge and aims to use the lack of interaction with the YouTube video as evidence. Simultaneously, Sleigh argues that Kapitanski's IT team reported no significant interaction with the computer during the relevant 11-minute window.
However, without further investigation and clearer evidence, it remains uncertain what specific videos were being watched or whether Kapitanski's actions were directly linked to the inflammatory online content. Regardless, this incident raises concerns about the potential distractions that government-issued devices may pose for officers on duty.
- The future of Police Sergeant Kyle Kapitanski's career hangs in the balance, as he faces a felony charge for a fatal crash involving a cyclist, Sean Hayes.
- The footages from the department-issued iPad, which Kapitanski was reportedly watching before the crash, could potentially shed light on the circumstances leading to the accident.
- The tech industry may need to reconsider the use of distracting apps on government-issued devices, following the incident where Kapitanski was watching YouTube videos while driving.
- The future of online content, particularly inflammatory videos, may come under scrutiny, as questions are raised about their potential to distract public servants and lead to serious incidents.