PEMBROKE, Mass. — A Massachusetts man was sentenced to life imprisonment Thursday after being convicted of killing a teenager in a traffic collision while driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
In Pembroke, on December 29, 2019, 36-year-old Gregory Goodsell was charged with the death of 13-year-old Claire Zisserson after he ran a red light and collided with the car she was in. Goodsell, reported to have been departing from a company holiday celebration, was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.266, over three times the legal limit, coupled with evidence of cocaine use.
The devastating impact of the incident was palpable in court, as expressed by Claire’s grief-stricken parents. Elizabeth Zisserson, Claire’s mother, who also sustained serious injuries in the crash, shared the profound loss their family experienced, saying, “Our table of four is now three. Our house is quiet as a tomb. The colors of our world are dull.” The echo of their daughter’s absence resonates through every aspect of their lives.
Goodsell drove a truck marked with “Hi-Way Safety Systems, Inc.,” and after the party, he first struck a nearby tree, which damaged his vehicle before the fatal collision. Investigators found that Goodsell’s speeding significantly contributed to the accident’s severity. The grim details emerged in court; inside Goodsell’s truck were whiskey, beer, small alcohol bottles, marijuana, and a pipe.
During the trial, Goodsell acknowledged his impaired condition, linking it to the catastrophic outcome. “Because of my out of control mindset and chaotic behavior that entire night, a young lady with a bright future ahead of her is no longer alive,” he lamented before the sentencing.
He faced multiple charges and was found guilty of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Additionally, the court held him accountable for two counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, affecting not only Claire but also her friend who was injured.
In an emotional appeal to the judge, Elizabeth Zisserson urged for measures to prevent such future tragedies. “Please help me keep him from ever doing this again,” she implored. “He can watch the sunrise every day, but Claire won’t ever see another sunrise. And we won’t ever escape the devastation of losing Claire.”
Ken Zisserson, Claire’s father, voiced the unnaturalness of their situation, encapsulating the sentiment of incomprehensible loss known only to those who have experienced similar tragedies. “When someone says, ‘I can’t even imagine,’ I reply, ‘You shouldn’t have to. It’s not natural,'” he said.
Goodsell is eligible for parole after 20 years behind bars. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz asserted the county’s resolve against impaired driving, saying, “If you choose to drink and drive, if you choose to take drugs and drive like this individual drove, if you’re here in our county, we will prosecute you on this second-degree homicide. And when you’re convicted, you’ll get significant time in jail.”
The declaration reflects a broader commitment to prosecuting offenses related to driving under the influence harshly, indicating an ongoing battle against impaired driving and its often tragic consequences.