Crime & Safety
Driver Killed in Rt. 7 Connector Crash Is Identified
The driver of the minivan who struck a tractor-trailor transporting US Mail was pronounced dead at 4:34 a.m. on Friday.
Update: 6:21p.m. Dec. 27:
According to Norwalk Police Dept. Public Information Officer, Lt. Resnick, early Friday morning Norwalk Police, Firefighters and Norwalk Hospital EMS all responded to the intersection of Route 7 and Grist Mill Road where a 1998 Plymouth Voyager minivan had struck a 2001 Mack Tractor Trailer.
The minivan driver had sustained serious injuries in the crash, but still had a pulse and, according to Resnick's release, firefighters used a Hurst Tool, also referred to as "Jaws of Life," to extricate him from the wreckage.
EMS provided medical treatment for the driver and transported him to Norwalk Hospital, where the driver was pronounced dead at 4:34 a.m.
The deceased is identified as 43-year-old Fernando Damasco-Bautista of East Hartford. Numerous previous addresses, including the deceased’s current Mississippi driver’s license, delayed officers' efforts to locate and notify his family of his death until Friday afternoon, according to Resnick.
The truck driver, who had been transporting US Mail at the time of the crash was a 54-year-old Norwalk resident. According to Resnick, he as transported to Norwalk Hospital with a complaint of leg pain, which was considered a non-life threatening injury.
The intersection of Grist Mill Road and the Route 7 Connector form a “T” shaped intersection. The Plymouth Voyager was traveling northbound on the Route 7 Connector while the Mack Truck was traveling westbound on Grist Mill Rd, preparing to take a left turn onto the southbound lanes of the Route 7 Connector when the minivan crashed into the truck's wheels, according to Resnick, who added that the airbag had deployed in the minivan.
Officers assigned to reconstruct the accident, reported that there was a sheen upon the roadway surface even though the roadway had been salted prior to the crash, and the traffic control signal was working properly and the roadway was illuminated.
The investigation is continuing, anyone who witnessed or has information about this accident is urged to contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111
Original Story: Dec. 27 11:22a.m.
Norwalk police report that a male driver of a minivan traveling northbound on the Route 7 connector at Gristmill Road collided with a trailer truck that was traveling west on Gristmill.
According to Officer Chris Wasilewski, the van driver, a 44-year-old male, was taken to Norwalk Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Norwalk police are attempting to locate next of kin. The accident was reported to police at 3:25 a.m. Friday morning.
More information will be reported as it becomes available.
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