Kennett Township announced in an e-mail to township residents on May 14 that its Police Chief Albert McCarthy will retire after 42 years of police service.

The township's Board of Supervisors will give Chief McCarthy his retirement badge at its May 20 meeting, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the township building.

This news comes on the heels of the April 15 Kennett Township Board of Supervisors meeting, when it was announced that McCarthy was placed on administrative leave from his duties, stemming from his April 13 vehicular crash involving the 2015 Ford Taurus police vehicle he was driving with a 2006 Honda Accord driven by Michael S. Hammon, 51, of Kennett Square at approximately 12 noon on Hillendale Road. McCarthy’s administrative leave was identified as "non-disciplinary."

At the time of the accident, it was revealed that McCarthy told State Trooper Erick Baker of the State Police that he suffered from a seizure that was caused by a previous brain injury, which he said contributed to the collision.

The public information police report said that McCarthy was following the vehicle ahead of him too closely, and at a rate of speed that led to McCarthy's vehicle colliding with Hammon's vehicle. Both vehicles proceeded to the intersection of Hidden Pond Drive and East Hillendale Road, before they both stopped. Hammon sustained a minor injury but did not require EMS transportation. McCarthy was uninjured in the accident, and a family member picked him up from the scene.

Although McCarthy was not charged in the accident, the primary violation was identified as "VC 3310(A) Following Too Closely."

According to information provided to the Chester County Press by Township Manager Lisa Moore, McCarthy, whose last day of service was May 7, approached the township, asking to retire with certain terms. Both the Board of Supervisors and Moore agreed to McCarthy's retirement package request, but that they, too, also had specific terms for McCarthy's retirement -- which were not shared with the Press.

Moore said that McCarthy will receive six months' salary, health insurance for one year and unused vacation time for the current year.

At its April 15 meeting, the board voted 3-0 to appoint Kennett Township officer Lydell Nolt as the acting interim police chief for the township. Moore said that the Board of Supervisors have not "determined its path forward" on appointing a permanent, full-time police chief to replace McCarthy.