(Updated)—A 52-year-old Hamden man named Eric Joseph Pechalonis was struck and killed Monday night at the intersection of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Orange Avenue.
Police have arrested the 39-year-old driver and charged him with driving under the influence, with more charges set to come.
City police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff sent out an email press release update Tuesday afternoon about the city’s latest pedestrian fatality.
He wrote that the fatal motor vehicle crash took place just before 8:30 p.m. Monday.
Prior to the crash, police investigators believe that Pechalonis was walking east from Orange Avenue, Duff wrote. As Pechalonis attempted to cross toward Columbus Avenue at the Ella T. Grasso Boulevard intersection, a southbound motor vehicle on the Boulevard stopped for him.
A second southbound vehicle on the Boulevard did not stop, however. Instead, it passed the first vehicle as it slowed for the pedestrian crossing.
The second vehicle then struck Pechalonis in the intersection.
The second vehicle proceeded to travel a short distance before striking a utility pole.
“The collision broke the wooden utility pole and caused an electrical transformer fire,” Duff wrote. “The transformer fire at the top of the pole eventually burned itself out.”
Arriving emergency responders found Pechalonis severely injured and lying in the roadway. He was pronounced deceased on scene. No other injuries were reported.
The driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Pechalonis remained on scene. Officers administered a field sobriety test to the driver, Duff wrote, and he “he failed to meet the standards of the test.”
Officers placed the driver under arrest and transported him to the police department’s detention center at 1 Union Ave.
Police also impounded the driver’s full-sized BMW X7 sport utility vehicle as part of their investigation.
Police have charged the man with driving under the influence, with additional charges pending further investigation.
Duff wrote that officers transferred the driver to an arraignment hearing in state Superior Court at 235 Church St. Tuesday, and that he is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Witnesses who have not spoken to police are asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203 – 946-6316.
Ella T. Grasso Boulevard is no stranger to cars striking and killing pedestrians. Earlier this year, 50-year-old Arthur Bastek was hit by a car and killed near 695 Ella. T. Grasso Blvd.
@NHI, — how many pedestrian fatalities this year?