A Vermont police sergeant was watching a YouTube video about a transgender woman confronting conservative podcaster Matt Walsh seconds before he fatally hit a cyclist in November 2024, a court filing revealed.
Kyle Kapitanski, 41, was driving approximately 40 mph in a 35 mph zone in South Burlington when he struck and killed Sean Hayes, 38. Kapitanski continued driving after striking Hayes before he turned around and returned to the scene. He later claimed the victim, who was on a bicycle and towing a trailer, "came out of nowhere."
However, a crash reconstruction report revealed "the crash likely could have been avoided if Kapitanski was traveling at the speed limit," according to reporting by VTDigger.
Neither the officer's body-worn camera nor the cruiser dash camera captured the incident, but a video of the moments after the crash showed the officer's hand changing the display from YouTube to a dispatch screen, the charging document revealed, according to VTDigger.
The filing also disclosed the last video Kapitanski watched was titled, "Trans woman CONFRONTING Matt Walsh takes UNEXPECTED turn." The officer had reportedly accessed "several Youtube" web addresses in the minutes leading up to the fatal crash.
A judge determined there was probable cause to support a felony charge of gross negligent operation resulting in death against Kapitanski, VTDigger reported. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, and he faces up to 15 years in prison.
