The latest fatal car crash involving a pedestrian occurred Tuesday night on — no surprise — Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.
Cops responding to the scene at 7:03 p.m. found a 50-year-old man lying in the street at around 695 Blvd., according to police spokeswoman Lt. Shayna Kendall. The man was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The driver remained on scene. The police department’s Accident Reconstruction Team has launched an investigation.
Motorists killed nine pedestrians in New Haven in 2019, including five within one month, prompting cries for emergency action by the city. At the state level, State Reps. Pat Dillon and Roland Lemar last week said they’re seeking to pass legislation requiring traffic-calming and safety work on three deadly state thoroughfares in town — including the Boulevard. (Click here to read about that.) “There’s no way to cross the road without getting pancaked,” Dillon said about the Boulevard.
Last Aug. 10, a 43-year-old pedestrian named Lony Bosquet died after two cars struck him while he was crossing the Boulevard. Another pedestrian was struck (not killed) at the Boulevard and South Frontage on Sept. 24.
This is a terrible tragedy, but I fail to see how the potentially misleading title and article on an important topic helps save lives. A more honest, comprehensive report would include how many of the pedestrians were hit while legally crossing vs. otherwise, how many times the drivers remained on the scene and what the facts indicate about their driving legally and safely, etc. There is a good reason many drivers in these situations were not charged with a crime. NHI should stop pushing an agenda and present a more balanced view, with the facts, about this matter, which would likely lead to a variety of ideas and understanding of responsibilities to help prevent the loss of lives.