Yet another pedestrian death at the Yale Campus.
"A 53-year-old New Haven man died Sunday after a car struck him at the intersection of Elm and Temple Streets.
So reported police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff.
The downtown crash occurred at 4:30 p.m. The driver “remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation,” Duff wrote in a release. The department’s Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating."
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/driver_kills_pedestrian3/
Showing posts with label Traffic-Related Injury Reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traffic-Related Injury Reports. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2020
Thursday, March 14, 2019
All charges dropped against driver going 38MPH who killed New Haven pedestrian
By Randall Beach Updated 10:13 am EDT, Thursday, March 14, 2019
NEW HAVEN — Agnese Izzo, who struck and killed a pedestrian while driving near Yale New Haven Hospital two years ago, has had all four charges nolled.
Police said Izzo, now 30, of Aspen Glen Drive, Hamden, was driving up to 13 mph above the speed limit just before her car hit Melissa Tancredi while the victim was standing on a sidewalk on South Frontage Road at its intersection with York Street. This occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2017.
Tancredi, a Waterbury resident, “was vaulted into the air, struck the traffic control signal box and then landed across the sidewalk and roadway,” according to the police arrest warrant for Izzo. Tancredi was taken to the nearby hospital, where she died.
Izzo was charged with four counts: negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, following too closely, failure to yield to a pedestrian and traveling unreasonably fast.
But Izzo’s attorney, Hugh Keefe, said it was proper to have the charges nolled because “It was an accident. There was no criminal intent.”
“Unfortunately, this happens in our society with the use of automobiles,” Keefe added. “This was tragic for both sides.”
But Keefe maintained: “There’s no evidence of a crime here.”
Asked about the speed of Izzo’s vehicle — the police warrant said it reached 38 mph in a 25 mph zone — Keefe said, “If all you can prove is 13 mph above the speed limit, that’s not enough evidence to prove misconduct with a motor vehicle.”
Keefe added, “I don’t think a jury would have convicted her. There was no evidence of intent here.”
The prosecutor in the case, Assistant State’s Attorney, Laura DeLeo, did not return phone messages seeking more information on why the nolles were granted. Superior Court Judge Melanie Cradle presided over the session.
Keefe said Izzo pleaded nolo contendere to the four charges and they were then nolled. Keefe said Izzo did not deliver a statement during the session but simply answered routine questions from Cradle about the mechanics of the disposition.
Keefe also said Tancredi’s family was represented at the court hearing by an attorney, whose name Keefe could not remember.
“He said the family was disappointed” by the outcome of the case, Keefe added.
Keefe said part of the nolle agreement called for Izzo to have her driver’s license suspended. But Keefe said he did not recall how long the suspension will be in effect, nor did he have time to look it up in his files.
A New Haven Superior Court clerk said this information is available only through the state Department of Motor Vehicles. But DMV spokesman Jim Carson said Wednesday DMV has no records about a license suspension for Izzo. Carson said it might take several days for such information to be relayed from the court system to DMV. The court session occurred Monday.
Asked about Izzo’s legal right to drive since Tancredi’s death two years ago, Keefe said, “She has had the right to drive.”
According to the arrest warrant, before the collision Izzo was driving eastbound on South Frontage Road in a gray Infiniti G35X in a left-turn-only lane, which does not continue past the intersection of York Street.
“She did not execute a left turn but continued to travel straight, off the travel portion of the roadway and onto the sidewalk,” the warrant stated. “She struck Melissa Tancredi, who stood on the northeast sidewalk.”
The warrant noted that a police officer who responded to the scene spoke with Izzo immediately after the crash. “She recalled that she slammed on her brakes and then struck a pedestrian who was on the sidewalk. She could not provide any details as to what happened prior to the crash or why she drove onto the sidewalk.”
Another police officer who spoke with Izzo reported “she appeared very distraught as she cried and breathed heavily,” the warrant stated. “When asked, she was unsure what road she was on and had no recollection of what had happened.”
A third police officer who interviewed Izzo after she was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital quoted Izzo saying she had worked all day at the cardiac center at that hospital. She told that officer she was driving on South Frontage Road when she had to “brake very hard,” the warrant stated. “She did not remember what caused her to brake hard. When she stopped the car, she noticed a female on the ground.”
According to the warrant, the hospital staff did not perform tests on Izzo’s blood or urine “and there were no notes in the records to indicate that hospital personnel suspected she was under the influence of any type of drugs and/or alcohol. Mrs. Izzo denied while receiving treatment at the hospital having any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the crash.”
Police interviewed four witnesses to the crash. One of them said she was standing at that intersection, waiting to cross the street, when she saw a gray Infiniti driving east on South Frontage Road “at a high rate of speed,” the warrant said.
“The vehicle was in the left turn lane but did not travel left and continued straight,” the warrant quoted the witness. “The vehicle drove onto the northeast sidewalk and struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian flew several feet into the air and then landed in the roadway. Several bystanders immediately rushed over to provide aid.”
A second witness told police the Infiniti pulled out of a parking lot near Orchard Street in front of the witness’ vehicle. According to the warrant, “She saw the Infiniti brake hard in order to avoid impact with the vehicle that she was behind.”
A third witness told police she was walking on York Street when she heard a loud sound and then saw a car on the sidewalk and an unresponsive woman lying in the street.
“She eventually saw the driver of the car exit the vehicle,” the warrant said of the witness. This witness reported: “The driver had her phone to her ear.” The witness heard her say: “I think I killed someone.”
A week after the crash, police obtained a search warrant to search Izzo’s cellphone. According to the warrant, records obtained from Verizon Wireless showed Izzo was not texting or talking on the phone at the time of the crash.
But the warrant added the Verizon records “do not show if she was using any other phone applications such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. on the phone at/or leading up to the crash.”
The warrant stated Izzo’s attorney at the time, Kenny Levine, advised police that Izzo “would not be providing the passcode to unlock her iPhone for further examination.”
At the time of Izzo’s arrest, Levine told the New Haven Register that Izzo had tried to help Tancredi after the crash. Levine added: “My client is incredibly distraught over what happened that day and feels horrible about the entire situation.” He said she was no longer working at the hospital.
According to the warrant, videotapes from surveillance cameras near the intersection showed the Infiniti was on South Frontage Road and “traveled too close to the vehicle in front of it.” The tapes also showed “the vehicle was seen straddling the line between the center lane and left turn lane before it switched into the left turn lane.” A videotape of the crash showed “the vehicle did brake prior to impact (brake lights are seen) but does not engage in any evasive maneuvers such as steering.”
The warrant stated a police inspection of the car did not show any defects indicating a mechanical failure that would have contributed to the crash. The inspection showed the car was traveling at 35 mph two seconds prior to the airbag deploying and 38 mph one second prior to its deployment.
The warrant concluded: “The state of mind and the actions of the driver prior to the crash are unknown and inexplicable. Nevertheless, Izzo caused the crash by operating a motor vehicle in a manner indifferent to the risks her driving posed to human life.”
The fatal crash was the third in the last nine years in that area and the second fatal incident near the intersection since April 2008, when a medical school student was fatally struck while crossing South Frontage Road near York. A year later, a research scientist was fatally struck a few blocks away, on a South Frontage Road intersection at College Street.
NEW HAVEN — Agnese Izzo, who struck and killed a pedestrian while driving near Yale New Haven Hospital two years ago, has had all four charges nolled.
Police said Izzo, now 30, of Aspen Glen Drive, Hamden, was driving up to 13 mph above the speed limit just before her car hit Melissa Tancredi while the victim was standing on a sidewalk on South Frontage Road at its intersection with York Street. This occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2017.
Tancredi, a Waterbury resident, “was vaulted into the air, struck the traffic control signal box and then landed across the sidewalk and roadway,” according to the police arrest warrant for Izzo. Tancredi was taken to the nearby hospital, where she died.
Izzo was charged with four counts: negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, following too closely, failure to yield to a pedestrian and traveling unreasonably fast.
But Izzo’s attorney, Hugh Keefe, said it was proper to have the charges nolled because “It was an accident. There was no criminal intent.”
“Unfortunately, this happens in our society with the use of automobiles,” Keefe added. “This was tragic for both sides.”
But Keefe maintained: “There’s no evidence of a crime here.”
Asked about the speed of Izzo’s vehicle — the police warrant said it reached 38 mph in a 25 mph zone — Keefe said, “If all you can prove is 13 mph above the speed limit, that’s not enough evidence to prove misconduct with a motor vehicle.”
Keefe added, “I don’t think a jury would have convicted her. There was no evidence of intent here.”
The prosecutor in the case, Assistant State’s Attorney, Laura DeLeo, did not return phone messages seeking more information on why the nolles were granted. Superior Court Judge Melanie Cradle presided over the session.
Keefe said Izzo pleaded nolo contendere to the four charges and they were then nolled. Keefe said Izzo did not deliver a statement during the session but simply answered routine questions from Cradle about the mechanics of the disposition.
Keefe also said Tancredi’s family was represented at the court hearing by an attorney, whose name Keefe could not remember.
“He said the family was disappointed” by the outcome of the case, Keefe added.
Keefe said part of the nolle agreement called for Izzo to have her driver’s license suspended. But Keefe said he did not recall how long the suspension will be in effect, nor did he have time to look it up in his files.
A New Haven Superior Court clerk said this information is available only through the state Department of Motor Vehicles. But DMV spokesman Jim Carson said Wednesday DMV has no records about a license suspension for Izzo. Carson said it might take several days for such information to be relayed from the court system to DMV. The court session occurred Monday.
Asked about Izzo’s legal right to drive since Tancredi’s death two years ago, Keefe said, “She has had the right to drive.”
According to the arrest warrant, before the collision Izzo was driving eastbound on South Frontage Road in a gray Infiniti G35X in a left-turn-only lane, which does not continue past the intersection of York Street.
“She did not execute a left turn but continued to travel straight, off the travel portion of the roadway and onto the sidewalk,” the warrant stated. “She struck Melissa Tancredi, who stood on the northeast sidewalk.”
The warrant noted that a police officer who responded to the scene spoke with Izzo immediately after the crash. “She recalled that she slammed on her brakes and then struck a pedestrian who was on the sidewalk. She could not provide any details as to what happened prior to the crash or why she drove onto the sidewalk.”
Another police officer who spoke with Izzo reported “she appeared very distraught as she cried and breathed heavily,” the warrant stated. “When asked, she was unsure what road she was on and had no recollection of what had happened.”
A third police officer who interviewed Izzo after she was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital quoted Izzo saying she had worked all day at the cardiac center at that hospital. She told that officer she was driving on South Frontage Road when she had to “brake very hard,” the warrant stated. “She did not remember what caused her to brake hard. When she stopped the car, she noticed a female on the ground.”
According to the warrant, the hospital staff did not perform tests on Izzo’s blood or urine “and there were no notes in the records to indicate that hospital personnel suspected she was under the influence of any type of drugs and/or alcohol. Mrs. Izzo denied while receiving treatment at the hospital having any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the crash.”
Police interviewed four witnesses to the crash. One of them said she was standing at that intersection, waiting to cross the street, when she saw a gray Infiniti driving east on South Frontage Road “at a high rate of speed,” the warrant said.
“The vehicle was in the left turn lane but did not travel left and continued straight,” the warrant quoted the witness. “The vehicle drove onto the northeast sidewalk and struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian flew several feet into the air and then landed in the roadway. Several bystanders immediately rushed over to provide aid.”
A second witness told police the Infiniti pulled out of a parking lot near Orchard Street in front of the witness’ vehicle. According to the warrant, “She saw the Infiniti brake hard in order to avoid impact with the vehicle that she was behind.”
A third witness told police she was walking on York Street when she heard a loud sound and then saw a car on the sidewalk and an unresponsive woman lying in the street.
“She eventually saw the driver of the car exit the vehicle,” the warrant said of the witness. This witness reported: “The driver had her phone to her ear.” The witness heard her say: “I think I killed someone.”
A week after the crash, police obtained a search warrant to search Izzo’s cellphone. According to the warrant, records obtained from Verizon Wireless showed Izzo was not texting or talking on the phone at the time of the crash.
But the warrant added the Verizon records “do not show if she was using any other phone applications such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. on the phone at/or leading up to the crash.”
The warrant stated Izzo’s attorney at the time, Kenny Levine, advised police that Izzo “would not be providing the passcode to unlock her iPhone for further examination.”
At the time of Izzo’s arrest, Levine told the New Haven Register that Izzo had tried to help Tancredi after the crash. Levine added: “My client is incredibly distraught over what happened that day and feels horrible about the entire situation.” He said she was no longer working at the hospital.
According to the warrant, videotapes from surveillance cameras near the intersection showed the Infiniti was on South Frontage Road and “traveled too close to the vehicle in front of it.” The tapes also showed “the vehicle was seen straddling the line between the center lane and left turn lane before it switched into the left turn lane.” A videotape of the crash showed “the vehicle did brake prior to impact (brake lights are seen) but does not engage in any evasive maneuvers such as steering.”
The warrant stated a police inspection of the car did not show any defects indicating a mechanical failure that would have contributed to the crash. The inspection showed the car was traveling at 35 mph two seconds prior to the airbag deploying and 38 mph one second prior to its deployment.
The warrant concluded: “The state of mind and the actions of the driver prior to the crash are unknown and inexplicable. Nevertheless, Izzo caused the crash by operating a motor vehicle in a manner indifferent to the risks her driving posed to human life.”
The fatal crash was the third in the last nine years in that area and the second fatal incident near the intersection since April 2008, when a medical school student was fatally struck while crossing South Frontage Road near York. A year later, a research scientist was fatally struck a few blocks away, on a South Frontage Road intersection at College Street.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Multiple pedestrian deaths in 2019 on New Haven's Foxon Boulevard
From an NHPD news release: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation
New Haven | On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 44 year old Helen Ramos was pronounced deceased at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Several days prior, on the evening of Friday, January 18, 2019, at 8:22 p.m., pedestrian Ramos had been struck by a motor vehicle as she attempted to cross Middletown Avenue near Foxon Boulevard (Route 80).
The motor vehicle operator, a 47 year old New Haven resident, remained at the accident scene and has cooperated with the investigation.
Previously of West Haven, Helen Ramos had recently relocated to New Haven.
There was a pedestrian death in the same area a few weeks ago.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Another pedestrian struck and killed on Foxon Boulevard
A 49-year-old man has died from injuries suffered when a driver hit him on Foxon Boulevard.
The man, Rafael Torres, was pronounced Tuesday Tuesday at Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to police spokesman Capt. Anthony Duff.
Torres, who had recently moved to New Haven from Bridgeport, was crossing Route 80 (Foxon Boulevard) to visit a friend at 7:19 p.m. when a 32-year-old woman driving by struck him. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with cops, according to Duff.
Above report via https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/struck_pedestrian_died/
The man, Rafael Torres, was pronounced Tuesday Tuesday at Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to police spokesman Capt. Anthony Duff.
Torres, who had recently moved to New Haven from Bridgeport, was crossing Route 80 (Foxon Boulevard) to visit a friend at 7:19 p.m. when a 32-year-old woman driving by struck him. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with cops, according to Duff.
Above report via https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/struck_pedestrian_died/
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Even more pedestrian deaths at York & Frontage Roads near Yale University
Reporting from the New Haven Independent, Jan 17, 2017:
"For the second time in nine years, a car crash has killed a pedestrian at the intersection of York Street and South Frontage Road.
The latest fatal crash took place around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Police said a driver struck a 42-year-old pedestrian, Melissa Tancredi of Waterbury, at the intersection, and she died.
Tancredi was on the sidewalk, not in the street, when the driver of the car hopped the curb and struck her, according to police. Passers-by, including medical staff from Yale-New Haven Hospital a half-block away, tried unsuccessfully to hep her at the scene and keep her alive.
The driver was a 29-year-old woman from Hamden.
“Tancredi was standing fully on the sidewalk (northeast corner) at South Frontage Road and York Street when she was struck. [The driver] was operating her car in the left-most lane of South Frontage Road. Her lane is a left-turn only lane that does not continue (ahead) beyond the intersection. Despite traveling in the left turn only lane, [the driver] continued straight. He car jumped the curbstone, continued a few feet, struck the pedestrian and then a lamp post and the corner of the Air Rights Garage,” police spokesman Officer David Hartman reported in a press release."
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Young software developer mowed down, all 4 limbs broken, at corner of Bradley & Orange in New Haven's East Rock section
A woman hit a pedestrian with her car Monday night at Orange and Bradley streets 7:21 p.m. Monday and then drove away—leaving him with four broken limbs.
The woman drove away from the scene of the crash but called 911, telling the operator what she had done and where she was. She said she drank two “Natty Ice” malt beverages before she hit the pedestrian, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman. Investigators found an empty can of the beer on the floor of her car. She was arrested and charged with “DUI, reckless driving, evading responsibility and assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle,” according to Hartman. The woman’s blood alcohol content was measured at .1707, more than twice the legal limit.
The victim, a 29-year-old software application developer, remains in critical condition. He suffered severe internal injuries and breaks to all four limbs.
Source: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/drunk_on_natty_ice_driver_hits_and_runs/
August 26, 2015
The woman drove away from the scene of the crash but called 911, telling the operator what she had done and where she was. She said she drank two “Natty Ice” malt beverages before she hit the pedestrian, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman. Investigators found an empty can of the beer on the floor of her car. She was arrested and charged with “DUI, reckless driving, evading responsibility and assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle,” according to Hartman. The woman’s blood alcohol content was measured at .1707, more than twice the legal limit.
The victim, a 29-year-old software application developer, remains in critical condition. He suffered severe internal injuries and breaks to all four limbs.
Source: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/drunk_on_natty_ice_driver_hits_and_runs/
August 26, 2015
Monday, June 2, 2014
More pedestrian carnage in New Haven
A round-up of recent reports on the continuing trend of pedestrians being hit and nearly killed, or killed, in New Haven. New Haven Safe Streets will follow up to see if the pedestrians involved have survived.
Pedestrian critical after being struck in New Haven
March 27, 2014 (New Haven Register)
A male pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car at North Frontage Road and College Street early Thursday morning. (This is the same intersection where a Yale-affiliated researcher was run over and killed while crossing this area of Route 34 in 2009 - see http://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2009/05/biotechnologist-critical-after-crossing.html for coverage. The area is now under heavy construction as the future global headquarters of Alexion Pharmaceuticals).
Pedestrian Struck in New Haven
May 1, 2014 (NBC)
A pedestrian suffered minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Main Street in New Haven this morning.
Motorcyclist Strikes Elderly Pedestrian
May 6, 2014 (New Haven Independent)
A 73-year-old man was apparently crossing against a Don’t Walk signal at Whalley and Orchard around 8:20 p.m. Monday when a motorcyclist hit him—and may end up having killed him. The pedestrian, Willie Gay, was pushing a shopping cart across the roadway when the motorcyclist—a Waterbury man with a female passenger—struck him, according to Hartman. Gay was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where his condition is considered critical and his injuries life-threatening. The motorcyclist and passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The police did not charge the motorcyclist with an offense. (See http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/06/17/a-failure-of-design-in-downtown-new-haven/ for an article about pedestrian safety in this area)
Pedestrian struck by car in New Haven
May 22, 2014 (WTNH)
A pedestrian crossing a busy New Haven intersection was struck by a car Thursday morning. The pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk at the intersection of Church and Elm streets, just before 10 a.m. Witnesses tell News 8 this was almost a hit and run. They say people who saw the car hit the pedestrian also stopped the car from getting away. "He came and last second he tried to tap the breaks," said Art Voivin of Watertown. "But there was a gentleman there, one guy jumped out of the way. That guy got hit, did a cartwheel on his head. Then the car seemed to try to take off." Witnesses pointed to a dark blue Honda parked about halfway down the next block as the car involved in the incident. Elm and Church streets were shut down for about an hour. Police would not say if the driver was arrested and have yet to release a cause. Emergency officials arrived on scene to find the man lying face down in front of the courthouse. He was transported to a hospital where police said he is excepted to recover. Witnesses say the traffic light was still red when the victim was crossing the street.
Pedestrian critical after being struck in New Haven
March 27, 2014 (New Haven Register)
A male pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car at North Frontage Road and College Street early Thursday morning. (This is the same intersection where a Yale-affiliated researcher was run over and killed while crossing this area of Route 34 in 2009 - see http://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2009/05/biotechnologist-critical-after-crossing.html for coverage. The area is now under heavy construction as the future global headquarters of Alexion Pharmaceuticals).
Pedestrian Struck in New Haven
May 1, 2014 (NBC)
A pedestrian suffered minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Main Street in New Haven this morning.
Motorcyclist Strikes Elderly Pedestrian
May 6, 2014 (New Haven Independent)
A 73-year-old man was apparently crossing against a Don’t Walk signal at Whalley and Orchard around 8:20 p.m. Monday when a motorcyclist hit him—and may end up having killed him. The pedestrian, Willie Gay, was pushing a shopping cart across the roadway when the motorcyclist—a Waterbury man with a female passenger—struck him, according to Hartman. Gay was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where his condition is considered critical and his injuries life-threatening. The motorcyclist and passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The police did not charge the motorcyclist with an offense. (See http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/06/17/a-failure-of-design-in-downtown-new-haven/ for an article about pedestrian safety in this area)
Pedestrian struck by car in New Haven
May 22, 2014 (WTNH)
A pedestrian crossing a busy New Haven intersection was struck by a car Thursday morning. The pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk at the intersection of Church and Elm streets, just before 10 a.m. Witnesses tell News 8 this was almost a hit and run. They say people who saw the car hit the pedestrian also stopped the car from getting away. "He came and last second he tried to tap the breaks," said Art Voivin of Watertown. "But there was a gentleman there, one guy jumped out of the way. That guy got hit, did a cartwheel on his head. Then the car seemed to try to take off." Witnesses pointed to a dark blue Honda parked about halfway down the next block as the car involved in the incident. Elm and Church streets were shut down for about an hour. Police would not say if the driver was arrested and have yet to release a cause. Emergency officials arrived on scene to find the man lying face down in front of the courthouse. He was transported to a hospital where police said he is excepted to recover. Witnesses say the traffic light was still red when the victim was crossing the street.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
8-year-old girl hospitalized after hit and run crash at same intersection where 64-year-old man was killed a few months ago
Excerpt from the New Haven Register, 3/18/14:
"Police are searching for a white van that hit an 8-year-old city girl at Ferry and Pine streets Tuesday morning, police spokesman Officer David Hartman said."
"The girl is in stable condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was taken following the hit-and-run, Hartman said in a press release."
"The van, which has double rear doors with windows, is believed to have damage to the front passenger side near or involving the headlight, the release said. Hartman said officers were called to the scene at about 7:30 a.m. The girl was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital."
As we previously reported, a 64-year-old man, John Mucha, was killed in the same place a few months ago.
"Police are searching for a white van that hit an 8-year-old city girl at Ferry and Pine streets Tuesday morning, police spokesman Officer David Hartman said."
"The girl is in stable condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was taken following the hit-and-run, Hartman said in a press release."
"The van, which has double rear doors with windows, is believed to have damage to the front passenger side near or involving the headlight, the release said. Hartman said officers were called to the scene at about 7:30 a.m. The girl was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital."
As we previously reported, a 64-year-old man, John Mucha, was killed in the same place a few months ago.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Pedestrian Killed in Fair Haven
Excerpt from the New Haven Independent:
"a collision left a 64-year-old man dead in Fair Haven. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ferry and Pine streets. Here’s what happened, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman:
“Two employees of a local tire business were returning from a service call. They were driving in their company pick-up truck, heading south on Ferry Street, when the pedestrian, 64-year-old John Mucha, of New Haven, entered the roadway. The truck struck Mucha as he crossed the street. Mr. Mucha was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased
“The NHPD Crash Investigation Unit responded and commenced with their investigation. The driver and passenger of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. The driver has not been charged in the accident. The investigation is expected to take some time and a final report and conclusion isn’t expected for several months.”
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/pedestrian_killed1/
"a collision left a 64-year-old man dead in Fair Haven. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ferry and Pine streets. Here’s what happened, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman:
“Two employees of a local tire business were returning from a service call. They were driving in their company pick-up truck, heading south on Ferry Street, when the pedestrian, 64-year-old John Mucha, of New Haven, entered the roadway. The truck struck Mucha as he crossed the street. Mr. Mucha was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased
“The NHPD Crash Investigation Unit responded and commenced with their investigation. The driver and passenger of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. The driver has not been charged in the accident. The investigation is expected to take some time and a final report and conclusion isn’t expected for several months.”
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/pedestrian_killed1/
Friday, June 7, 2013
Another Child Hit by Driver at Newhallville Street Intersection
Reporting today from the New Haven Independent:
A car struck a bicycle at the corner of Winchester Avenue and Highland Street Thursday afternoon and injured a young cyclist, the second such accident in a year.
Another driver hit a child riding on a bike at the same intersection last year, according to Tammy Chapman, a neighborhood organizer who lives two doors away from that intersection.
A car struck a bicycle at the corner of Winchester Avenue and Highland Street Thursday afternoon and injured a young cyclist, the second such accident in a year.
Another driver hit a child riding on a bike at the same intersection last year, according to Tammy Chapman, a neighborhood organizer who lives two doors away from that intersection.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Pedestrian Critical in Hit and Run Crash on Whalley Avenue Near Downtown New Haven
10 November, 2012, New Haven: At 3:05 AM, Officers responded to the area in front of 308 Whalley Avenue. Callers to 911 reported a pedestrian had been struck by a motorist who then fled the scene.
There, they located the victim, 17 year old male. EMS personnel arrived and began their treatment of the young man, who'd suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was rushed to the St. Raphael's campus of Yale - New Haven hospital.
A witness told investigators he'd heard the accident. As he was getting into his car, he heard a thump. He looked in the direction of the sound and spotted a grey four door Nissan Altima (or similar mid-sized car) speeding from the scene. The suspect car may also have heavily tinted windows and significant impact damage to its front end, hood and/ or roof. There may be a '3' and/ or '1' or '31' in the characters of the license plate.
Any witnesses or people with information they could share with investigators are urged to call the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304 or 203-946-6316 and ask for a Detective or member of the Crash Investigation Unit.
There, they located the victim, 17 year old male. EMS personnel arrived and began their treatment of the young man, who'd suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was rushed to the St. Raphael's campus of Yale - New Haven hospital.
A witness told investigators he'd heard the accident. As he was getting into his car, he heard a thump. He looked in the direction of the sound and spotted a grey four door Nissan Altima (or similar mid-sized car) speeding from the scene. The suspect car may also have heavily tinted windows and significant impact damage to its front end, hood and/ or roof. There may be a '3' and/ or '1' or '31' in the characters of the license plate.
Any witnesses or people with information they could share with investigators are urged to call the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304 or 203-946-6316 and ask for a Detective or member of the Crash Investigation Unit.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
50-year old man in crosswalk sent to hospital after vehicle runs red light in East Rock / Cedar Hill
An excerpt from coverage on Friday's crash, at WTNH:
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in New Haven. The pedestrian, who is described as a 50-year-old Hispanic male, was crossing the street at Ferry and State.
Police said the man was in the crosswalk when a vehicle ran a red light and made an illegal left turn. The vehicle struck the man and fled the scene.
He was take to Yale-New Haven Hospital. No additional details are available at this time.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in New Haven. The pedestrian, who is described as a 50-year-old Hispanic male, was crossing the street at Ferry and State.
Police said the man was in the crosswalk when a vehicle ran a red light and made an illegal left turn. The vehicle struck the man and fled the scene.
He was take to Yale-New Haven Hospital. No additional details are available at this time.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Pedestrian Critically Injured by Drunk Driver in Dixwell, Suffers Lacerated Liver and Two Broken Legs
Report from the New Haven Police Department, February 10th 2012:At two minutes past midnight, Officer's Juan Monzon & Nikki Curry were walking the beat on Dixwell Avenue near Foote Street, when they were dispatched to Goffe & Sperry Streets, where it was reported a pedestrian had been struck by a car. They quickly made the three block trip. The pedestrian was being attended to by Emergency Medical Personnel from American Medical Response & The New Haven Fire Department. The pedestrian had no identification on him.
The operator of the 1997 Nissan Maxima which struck the pedestrian is Ian Phiri, a 23 year old man from Hamden, CT. He told Officer Curry he'd been driving on Goffe Street, when at Sperry Street, a man walked into the street and into his path. He said he struck the man and then drove to Whalley Avenue, where he pulled over and telephoned Police. Mr. Phiri returned to Sperry Street, where he spoke with Officer Curry.
Other Officers were dispatched to the area for the purpose of rerouting traffic. The NHPD Crash Team and DUI specialist, Officer Dennis Mastriano were dispatched to the scene. Officer Mastriano spoke with Mr. Phiri. He said Phiri had the strong oder of an alcohol beverage on his breath. Mastriano administered standard field sobriety tests,each of which were failed by Mr. Phiri. Officer Mastriano arrested Ian Phiri for Driving Under the Influence, and transported him to Police Headquarters where he administered a breath test. The test was administered at 2:07 AM (over 2 hours after the accident) and resulted in a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .123 (.08 is the legal limit).
The victim who's identity remains unknown, is still hospitalized in critical condition, suffering from internal injuries including a lacerated liver & bladder, as well as two broken legs.
Phiri was charged with Assault in the second degree with a Motor Vehicle and DUI.
An image of the wide, dangerous intersection is shown above courtesy Google.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
SUVs Crash Into Two Downtown Markets; Multiple Victims Hospitalized
Two crashes by out of control, red light running and speeding SUVs have recently plagued food stores in Downtown New Haven, near Yale University.
Image from the January 12th crash and reporting below from NHRegister. Updates will be posted here.
NEW HAVEN, 1/12/12 - One person was hospitalized after a two vehicle crash sent a Jeep into the front of a convenience store. The accident happened just before noon at the corner of George and Day streets. The impact sent soda and toilet paper flying from shelves inside Cecilia's Market at 539 George Street.
An earlier report from the New Haven Independent:
New Haven, 12/7/2011:
Police have concluded that the driver of a pick-up was responsible for an early Wednesday morning crash that led firefighters to rescue a woman trapped inside a Jeep that smashed into the new Elm City Market co-op on Chapel Street.
The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. The driver of a Dodge Ram was traveling south on State Street when he ran a red light, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman. He hit a Jeep whose driver had been traveling west on Chapel Street.
The crash sent the Jeep “crashing and spinning” over the sidewalk on Chapel into a bus shelter, Hartman said. Then it crashed into a door and window at the Elm City Market. The woman was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, as were the two drivers, according to Gambardella.
Image from the January 12th crash and reporting below from NHRegister. Updates will be posted here.
NEW HAVEN, 1/12/12 - One person was hospitalized after a two vehicle crash sent a Jeep into the front of a convenience store. The accident happened just before noon at the corner of George and Day streets. The impact sent soda and toilet paper flying from shelves inside Cecilia's Market at 539 George Street.
An earlier report from the New Haven Independent:
New Haven, 12/7/2011:
Police have concluded that the driver of a pick-up was responsible for an early Wednesday morning crash that led firefighters to rescue a woman trapped inside a Jeep that smashed into the new Elm City Market co-op on Chapel Street.
The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. The driver of a Dodge Ram was traveling south on State Street when he ran a red light, according to police spokesman Officer David Hartman. He hit a Jeep whose driver had been traveling west on Chapel Street.
The crash sent the Jeep “crashing and spinning” over the sidewalk on Chapel into a bus shelter, Hartman said. Then it crashed into a door and window at the Elm City Market. The woman was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital, as were the two drivers, according to Gambardella.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Driver Traveling at 60 MPH Hits Yale Residential College, Student Avoids Being Hit by 3 Inches
From the Yale Daily News:
A man driving a Volvo S80 crashed into a pole on Park Street outside Pierson College at around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday. The man was driving at over 60 miles an hour along Edgewood Avenue when the car swerved and came within three inches of hitting Chris Dennen '12 before smashing into the pole, according to three students who said they had heard an account from Dennen . Jeff Fell '12 and Sam Teicher '12, who both live on Edgewood Avenue, said Dennen was "shaken up" but unscathed. Dennen left the scene after the incident, they said. The vehicle's driver was not intoxicated at the time of the accident, police said. A graduate student, who lives on the corner of Park Street and Edgewood Avenue, corroborated the account, adding that the vehicle first hit the curb and lost a tire. The graduate student said two Yale Police Department officers who witnessed the incident both admitted they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
The incident took place just a block from where a speeding SUV careened off the road and into a house full of Yale affiliates in September.
A man driving a Volvo S80 crashed into a pole on Park Street outside Pierson College at around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday. The man was driving at over 60 miles an hour along Edgewood Avenue when the car swerved and came within three inches of hitting Chris Dennen '12 before smashing into the pole, according to three students who said they had heard an account from Dennen . Jeff Fell '12 and Sam Teicher '12, who both live on Edgewood Avenue, said Dennen was "shaken up" but unscathed. Dennen left the scene after the incident, they said. The vehicle's driver was not intoxicated at the time of the accident, police said. A graduate student, who lives on the corner of Park Street and Edgewood Avenue, corroborated the account, adding that the vehicle first hit the curb and lost a tire. The graduate student said two Yale Police Department officers who witnessed the incident both admitted they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
The incident took place just a block from where a speeding SUV careened off the road and into a house full of Yale affiliates in September.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
NHPD Chief Limon Wonders: When Will ConnDOT Stop Designing Roads That Kill People?
This March, the state's first Traffic Safety Conference was held at Yale-New Haven Hospital. According to attendees, the meeting addressed a broad scope of injury prevention factors -- examining motorcycle safety, the use of child car seats, impaired (cell phone distraction, substance abuse) driving, safety for new and old drivers, and enhanced police enforcement.To read a complete round-up of the event, please see "When will transportation departments start making roads safe for all?", by Phil Langdon of the New Urban News. Mr. Langdon writes that while traffic deaths have fallen dramatically, safety advocates and officials still pay far too little attention to the potential of better street design. Public comments at the bottom of Langdon's piece are also helpful to illustrate current conditions in New Haven.
Though its focus was on other injury prevention factors, the Traffic Safety Conference also highlighted CT DOT's inadequate application of proper street design for cities in our cities. New Haven Police Chief Frank Limon showed two very striking maps, one of vehicular accidents, the other of vehicular violations. In Limon's maps, the traffic violations (like running red lights) were focused on typical New Haven streets, which are sometimes patrolled by traffic enforcement officers particularly within pedestrian-heavy retail districts. But fatal accidents were concentrated along the state roads (which also serve as city arterials) that have been recently rebuilt to DOT standards -- roads with wide and multiple turn lanes in car oriented environments like Foxon Road and Ella Grasso Boulevard.
Limon spoke at length about the intersection of Derby Avenue and Ella Grasso Boulevard, a spot that has seen dozens of severe crashes. In this location, ConnDOT installed multiple turn lanes, and broad expanses of pavement, within the past five years. Chief Limon advised: "Don't go near it."
Limon's data presented a clear case of what New Urban planners and traffic safety advocates have long argued -- that the wider lanes and higher speeds in single use zones create congestion and fatal accidents.
It is of great concern to many citizens that the current planning for the rebuilding of the Route 34 Connector and Route 34 West around the hospital zone is focused, as these failed DOT projects are, on maximizing high-speed travel lanes (aided and abetted by underground service roads). Dozens of public meetings and workshops have been held over the past year, in which hundreds of New Haven residents have demanded walkable and bikeable streets, traffic demand management and transit development rather than yet another at-grade urban highway.
Mr. Langdon's article argues that ConnDOT has largely failed the city over the past few years, not just because of deadly road projects like Ella Grasso Boulevard and Foxon Road, but also due to its negligent designs within smaller neighborhood districts like Westville and Whalley/Edgewood (shown in the photo here). Mr. Langdon notes:
Even today, DOT continues to carry out pedestrian-hostile projects in New Haven. Mark Abraham, leader of the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition, points to the current widening of Whalley Avenue, a thoroughfare that carries commuter traffic between downtown New Haven and suburban Woodbridge.
Says Abraham: "Whalley Avenue, in a densely settled area of New Haven, along a site that has been the scene of hundreds of crashes, including one that killed an 11-year-old girl in a hit-and-run, was unfortunately converted from a 2-lane road into a 4-lane road with no pedestrian medians, raised intersections, or other measures typically used to make streets in urban areas safer to pedestrians. In addition, there are long sections with no crosswalks whatsoever...." "Hundreds of neighbors and elected officials pressed for reasonable design changes, but the DOT, working in tandem with city government, was simply unwilling or unable to take significant steps that would have made the area safer but also supported retail activity along the street. Recent studies have shown that walkable streets have far fewer retail vacancies and 50 percent higher retail rents."
Alderman Dildine said that in his view,” a road diet is the only solution for residential neighborhoods.” DOT, he said, often seems to drag its heels on initiatives and policies that would make places function better for people who are not behind the wheel.
NHTSA has consistently found that three of every 10 fatal motor vehicle crashes involve speeding. In 2000, 30 percent of fatal crashes involved speeding. In 2009, despite progress in other respects, 31 percent of fatal crashes involved speeding. And as research has shown, the speed of a motor vehicle is what’s lethal for a pedestrian. Bring down the speed and a person who’s hit by a car has a far greater likelihood of surviving.
What all of this tells me is that community design, and particularly street design, are crucial ingredients in traffic safety. Communities are not going to be able to control driver behavior adequately through ticketing, red-light cameras, distracted-driver campaigns, and other measures of those sorts. Street design has to be an important element in the government response. Street design must be on the agenda of any conference looking for comprehensive solutions to the reduced, but still grievous, plague of traffic deaths.
At the very least, Langdon concludes, it is time for state transportation departments to stop the lip service and to start making real changes.
Anstress Farwell contributed a portion of the text within this online post.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Ongoing Crashes at the Tomlinson Bridge in New Haven: State Board Called for Speedy Resolution Last Fall, but Few Actions Taken
As we have reported multiple times in the past two years, the Tomlinson Bridge in New Haven has been the subject of local, state and national news coverage because of the extreme danger presented by the combination of an oblique rail crossing and a high speed road. The Bridge is the topic of a SeeClickFix issue that has received over 14,000 hits.The Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board has highlighted these concerns in their 2010 annual report, as one of the most severe issues in the entire state. Their report, and a history of correspondence on the issue which includes calls for a "speedy" fix to the problem, is available here as a PDF.
Please contact us if you would like to add more reports of crashes to the list below. More information on the Tomlinson Bridge may be found on Wikipedia (in the photo here, it is shown on the left hand side). There are also more comprehensive articles on the history of the controversy on Design New Haven as well as on our site. The bridge is a crucial connection between Downtown New Haven and all neighborhoods, urban and suburban, located towards the east side of Downtown.
The following bicycle injuries have been documented at this railroad crossing. This is an incomplete list that only highlights some of the more severe falls:
**June 26, 2010: Two cyclists fall on tracks during the annual New Haven Century. One of them breaks his femur.
**September 26, 2009: Two cyclists fall and are injured while riding during a Yale Cycling event.
**September 25, 2009: A cyclist falls during an evening group ride over the tracks, and suffers minor injuries.
**September 13, 2009: A cyclist falls after his wheels become stuck in the tracks.
**August 30, 2009: A cyclist is involved in a hit-and-run incident on the bridge and severely injures his arm and shoulder.
**June 24, 2009: A cyclist falls on tracks while biking to Lighthouse Point and fractures her wrist.
**August 2008: A cyclist crashes on the bridge, due to a passing car, and breaks his elbow.
**August, 2007: A cyclist falls on tracks and seriously injures his left shoulder rotator cuff.
According to local bicycle shops and avid riders, many other cyclists (including city officials) have reportedly crashed while cycling over the tracks, suffering broken arms and collarbones.
Local bicycle advocates, including members of ElmCityCycling, have urged city and Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) officials to take action to prevent further injuries at the crossing. To date, signs have been posted warning cyclists of the crossing, but injuries persist. Cyclists have commented on the limited visibility of the signs. To date, ConnDOT has not adequately addressed the situation.
Monday, January 31, 2011
52 Motor Vehicle Crashes in A Few Hours, After New Haven Snowstorm
An excerpt from reporting from Paul Bass:
Police Monday responded to 44 traffic accidents by 4 p.m. and were headed out to handle eight more, thanks to continuing street problems connected to last week’s storm. Snowbanks blinding drivers around town, such as the woman who ended up stumbling out of her smashed Dodge Stratus and collapsing on Dixwell Avenue.
As many as five or six accidents were reported at a time Monday afternoon in the upper Whalley/Amity area. Traffic was reported gridlocked or near-gridlocked at times along Chapel Street and the Boulevard. Two people did go to the hospital by ambulance and traffic ground to periodic halts for a half hour after a 9:15 a.m. crash at Dixwell and Webster.
Police Monday responded to 44 traffic accidents by 4 p.m. and were headed out to handle eight more, thanks to continuing street problems connected to last week’s storm. Snowbanks blinding drivers around town, such as the woman who ended up stumbling out of her smashed Dodge Stratus and collapsing on Dixwell Avenue.
As many as five or six accidents were reported at a time Monday afternoon in the upper Whalley/Amity area. Traffic was reported gridlocked or near-gridlocked at times along Chapel Street and the Boulevard. Two people did go to the hospital by ambulance and traffic ground to periodic halts for a half hour after a 9:15 a.m. crash at Dixwell and Webster.
Monday, January 17, 2011
14-Year Old Killed by Hit and Run Driver in Fair Haven
From reporting in the New Haven Independent at http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/teen_cyclist_killed/:
A 14-year-old was riding his bike on Front Street near Grand Avenue early Saturday morning when he was hit by a car. The teenager was pronounced dead a short time later, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. Police identified the victim as Keyshawn Moore of Orchard Street.
An accident reconstruction team is investigating and police are seeking witnesses. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call (203) 946-6316 or (203) 946-6304.
A 14-year-old was riding his bike on Front Street near Grand Avenue early Saturday morning when he was hit by a car. The teenager was pronounced dead a short time later, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. Police identified the victim as Keyshawn Moore of Orchard Street.
An accident reconstruction team is investigating and police are seeking witnesses. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call (203) 946-6316 or (203) 946-6304.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Pedestrian Struck by Car at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in New Haven
Reporting in the New Haven Independent:
An 18-year-old girl told police she was in the crosswalk when she was hit by a car on Farnham Avenue on Tuesday night. The 83-year-old woman who hit her told cops the teen wasn’t using the crosswalk.
As is often the case when vehicles mow down pedestrians, the driver was not charged. In many other countries, they would have automatically been found to be at fault by the law, unless specifically proven otherwise (given that they are operating a more powerful vehicle).
Luckily for the student who was hit, the driver appears to have been traveling at a slow speed, perhaps encouraged by the presence of an in road pedestrian sign.
An 18-year-old girl told police she was in the crosswalk when she was hit by a car on Farnham Avenue on Tuesday night. The 83-year-old woman who hit her told cops the teen wasn’t using the crosswalk.
As is often the case when vehicles mow down pedestrians, the driver was not charged. In many other countries, they would have automatically been found to be at fault by the law, unless specifically proven otherwise (given that they are operating a more powerful vehicle).
Luckily for the student who was hit, the driver appears to have been traveling at a slow speed, perhaps encouraged by the presence of an in road pedestrian sign.
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