From the Police Department
On November 23, 2010 at approximately 5:30 P.M., a serious motor vehicle
versus pedestrian collision occurred on Washington Street (Route 66) in the
area of Bernie O’Rourke Drive.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a 1996 Mitsubishi, operated by,
Mr. Salvatore Formica, age: 53, of Middletown, was traveling in a westerly
direction on Washington Street. The pedestrian, Theodore Hunt 3rd age: 32,
of Middletown, crossed into the path of the vehicle and was struck.
As a result of the collision, Mr. Hunt was transported to Hartford Hospital
by Hunters Ambulance and is listed in critical condition. Mr. Formica was
uninjured.
The investigation is continuing by Officer Doug Clark of the Traffic Unit.
The way the responders re-routed the traffic was insane. Tractor trailors (way over the weight limit; not to mention size)were going over the wooden railroad bridge on west street. I really thought someone else was going to get hurt. I phoned it in to the PD but the trucks kept coming.
ReplyDeleteSo many times I've seen individuals trying to cross Washington Street in that area. Walkers are determined and most vehicles just fly by, sometimes trapping the person on the middle line of the street.
ReplyDeleteSince there is no crosswalk for the entire distance between Newfield & West Street/Walgreens, this is my proposal:
Place a 'pedestrian only' light that only has a yellow & red light for the traffic somewhere near the RR overpass. It would only be activated when a person pushes the walk button from either side of the street. It would still be clear sailing for vehicles unless someone needs to cross.
There are city bus stops already being used on the south side of Washington St going east with no way for anyone to get to them safely. If they are coming from the sideswalks of the north side of Washington they would need to walk all the way up to Newfield or all the way down to Walgreens.
**Pedestrian traffic does pick up when there are games being played in the field behind Iliano's.
Just a thought.
I completely agree with A McClain. Since the expansion of rt 66 it seems that the speed has increased and folks think they're still on a highway even as they're going through lights and past strip malls and coming into downtown.
ReplyDelete