The Great Barrington Police Department is in mourning following the sudden death of an off-duty officer.
According to a joint release from the town and the police chief, Officer Ryan Storti was driving Friday morning at approximately 2 a.m. in Stockbridge when he lost control of his truck and struck a tree on the side of the road.
The incident happened on Prospect Hill Road.
"Officer Storti was a rising star for our police department," said Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin. "I am devastated to learn of his sudden death. This is a tragedy and an enormous loss for the Police, our Town and the entire community."
Great Barrington Chief of Police William Walsh called Storti "a wonderful young man and police officer."
"He was everything we wanted in a police officer and was part of our future," Walsh said. "We’re all struggling right now as we also try to support Ryan’s family."
Officer Storti joined the Great Barrington Police Department in March 2014. He was a 2008 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School and a 2012 grad from Berkshire Community College.
The officer was the lone occupant of the vehicle. The crash is under investigation by the Stockbridge Police.
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