Speeding CT Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91; 4 Taken To Hospital: Police Speeding CT Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91; 4 Taken To Hospital: Police
Speeding CT Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91; 4 Taken To Hospital: Police A speeding driver sparked a five-car chain-reaction crash on Interstate 91 North in Windsor that sent four people to the hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities.  Four of the five vehicles were slowing down near Exit 37 or stopped because of traffic ahead when a fifth vehicle approached from behind, "traveling at a high rate of speed" shortly after 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Connecticut State Police said.  The driver swerved right in an attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, the vehicle clipped the rear of an SUV in the right lane, investigators said. The SUV lost c…
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers. Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds.  The PTO claims $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it, police explained.  Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police said. She …
CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers
CT Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Losing Control In Crash While Riding With Other Bikers A 35-year-old Bridgeport man is fighting for his life after crashing his motorcycle on a New Haven street while riding with a group of other motorcyclists, police said. Editor's note: Police initially reported the man had died, but issued a correction just after 12:30 p.m. Monday after our story was published.  Officers believe the man was riding west on Grand Avenue near the intersection of East Street in New Haven when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, police said.  Responding officers found the rider with severe injuries.&…
Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update) Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update)
Suspect Shot Dead By Police Following Fatal CT Baseball Bat Attack: OIG (Update) Update: The man whom police shot after investigators said he beat a man to death with a baseball bat has also died from his gunshot injuries, authorities announced Monday afternoon, July 20. Police have released few details on his death or the other victim.  Original: Connecticut State Police released new details after a Meriden police officer shot a suspect accused of beating someone to death with a baseball bat over the weekend. An officer responded to a home on Sagamore Road in Meriden around 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, after reports of a domestic violence incident. Police arrived to f…
CT Driver Killed After Car Rolls Onto I-91, Hit By Oncoming Vehicle CT Driver Killed After Car Rolls Onto I-91, Hit By Oncoming Vehicle
CT Driver Killed After Car Rolls Onto I-91, Hit By Oncoming Vehicle A Connecticut man was killed over the weekend after his car crashed, rolled over, and was hit by another vehicle on Interstate 91 in Windsor, according to  David Csaszar, 35, of Enfield, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu on I-91 North near Exit 37 around 3:41 a.m. Sunday, July 19, when Connecticut State Police said he left the roadway and hit the guardrail along the right shoulder. His car then crossed all three travel lanes, hit the median, and rolled onto its side in the center lane. An Infiniti G35 then slammed into the overturned Malibu, police said. Csaszar was pronounced dead at th…
'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet 'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet
'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet If you live in Connecticut, there's a good chance you know Amy. Maybe she's texted you about her tree-trimming service. Got a dirty driveway? Amy has a pressure-washing business that will fix it right up. Are your gutters in shambles? Amy's got you. From roofing to leaky pipes, Amy has what you need. But there's one hiccup: Amy isn't real. Neither is Dave. Or James. Or Michael. They're part of a growing wave of scam texts hoping to catch homeowners in need, and they are everywhere. There are dozens of Reddit threads featuring hundreds of these nearly identical messages, including one …
Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report
Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Cruiser Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report A former Connecticut State Police trooper accused of crashing his cruiser while off duty with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit has been granted a special diversionary program, according to CT Insider. Jacob Drechsler, 24, of Southington, was granted Accelerated Rehabilitation, a two-year diversionary program, on Wednesday at state Superior Court in New Britain, the report said. The decision stems from a Halloween night crash on Flanders Road on Oct. 31 in Southington. The program provides Drechsler the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction if he completes its…
CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil
CT Community Rallies For 15-Year-Old Who Died With Cupcake Fundraiser, East Hampton Vigil A Connecticut baker is stepping up to help the family of a 15-year-old East Hampton girl who died after a medical emergency while paddleboarding in Eastford. Cassandra "Cassie" Munson died Sunday, July 12, after falling into Crystal Pond. Witnesses said she appeared to have a medical emergency before she entered the water. As her family grieves, community members have rallied around them. A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $57,000 as of Friday afternoon. The money will help pay for Munson's funeral expenses and cover other costs to allow her family time to grieve. Others have wanted …
Community Rallies Around Grieving CT Mom After Son Killed In Wrong-Way I-91 Hartford Crash Community Rallies Around Grieving CT Mom After Son Killed In Wrong-Way I-91 Hartford Crash
Community Rallies Around Grieving CT Mom After Son Killed In Wrong-Way I-91 Hartford Crash A Connecticut community is stepping up for a grieving mother after the tragic loss of her 22-year-old son in a wrong-way motorcycle crash on Interstate 91 in Hartford last month. A GoFundMe created for Sara Tully has raised more than $23,000 as of Thursday, July 16, as friends, neighbors, and supporters continue to donate and share the fundraiser following the death of her son, Colby Upson. "If you know Sara, you know the kind of person she is," fundraising organizer and coworker Emily Morrisette said. "She is one of the hardest-working, most selfless, and compassionate people you could eve…
Witnesses Unable To Save Pilot After Plane Crashes Into Massachusetts State Forest Pond Witnesses Unable To Save Pilot After Plane Crashes Into Massachusetts State Forest Pond
Witnesses Unable To Save Pilot After Plane Crashes Into Massachusetts State Forest Pond A pilot was killed after a small plane crashed into Curlew Pond in Myles Standish State Forest, prompting a rescue effort by first responders and nearby good Samaritans. Authorities have identified the pilot as 81-year-old Richard Carrara of Kingston.  The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. Thursday, July 16, when Plymouth Police received a report of a plane down in Curlew Pond in the Plymouth state forest. The vessel was overturned in the water, with the pilot trapped inside just off the shoreline.  Plymouth police, firefighters, and several good Samaritans rushed into th…
Police ID Woman Believed To Have Drowned In Reservoir Police ID Woman Believed To Have Drowned In Reservoir
Police ID Woman Believed To Have Drowned In Reservoir Authorities have identified a 68-year-old woman who drowned at a Connecticut home earlier this week. Mary Tracy Shepley was found at a home on Triangle Drive in East Haddam around 9:30 p.m on Wednesday, July 15, Connecticut State Police said.  Initial reports said her family found her in the nearby Moodus Reservoir after the family dog returned home alone and wet.  Paramedics rushed her to an area hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.  Police have not released any other information. The incident remains under investigation. 
Bike Night Turns Violent At CT Bar: Man Shot And Critically Wounded, 8 Arrested Bike Night Turns Violent At CT Bar: Man Shot And Critically Wounded, 8 Arrested
Bike Night Turns Violent At CT Bar: Man Shot And Critically Wounded, 8 Arrested What began as a packed motorcycle event at a popular Connecticut bar ended in gunfire, a violent assault, and eight arrests, according to police. The shooting happened Wednesday evening during Southington's Cadillac Ranch's weekly Bike Night event, which draws motorcycle enthusiasts and members of several motorcycle clubs. Police were called to the 45 Jude Lane bar around 7 p.m. for a reported shooting. Officers arrived to find a 25-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso in what police described as a "very congested crowd." He was taken to a hospital and remains in critic…