Driver Involved In Fatal Stop & Shop Accident Arraigned In Nantucket District Court

The driver accused of fatally striking a woman with her SUV in the downtown Stop & Shop parking lot this summer was arraigned Monday in Nantucket District Court. 

Kathleen M. Featherston, 62, of Fairfield, Connecticut, is facing charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and negligent operation of a motor vehicle stemming from the June 29th incident. During Monday's arraignment, Featherston had not-guilty pleas entered on her behalf, and she was ordered not to drive a car while the case is pending. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for December 4th. 

According to the police report, police observed an older female, laying under a Rivian SUV, who was unresponsive. Through investigation it was determined that Featherston was the operator and had accelerated forward rapidly causing the vehicle to strike the pedestrian crossing in the pedestrian crossing area and then striking a Jeep.

"Featherston explained that to put the vehicle in park, the operator has to push on the brake," officer Rachel Lester said in her report. "Featherston said she was attempting to put the vehicle in park when she put her foot on the accelerator instead of the brake."

Officers said in their report that Featherston stated to them, "I hit the wrong pedal."

The motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation charge against Featherston is a misdemeanor under state law, as she was not charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She could face anywhere from 30 days to two and a half years in the house of corrections if found guilty, rather than two and a half years to 15 years in state prison under the felony version (i.e. motor vehicle homicide while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol).

The victim of the accident was Stacey J. Rosen, 62, of Atlantic Beach, NY, who was walking in the parking lot on June 29th at approximately 1:25 p.m. Rosen had to be removed from underneath the vehicle by first responders and was rushed to Nantucket Cottage Hospital. She was quickly transported by Medflight helicopter to a mainland hospital and "later died from the injuries sustained during the motor vehicle accident," Nantucket Police stated in a release two weeks after the accident.