NHPD
Officer Murray.
A 27-year-old Hamden woman died after driving the wrong way on I‑91 and crashing into a car driven by an off-duty New Haven cop.
The crash occurred late Thursday night, just before midnight.
Officer Thomas Murray was headed home to Cheshire after completing a shift on the East Shore. He was driving northbound on I‑91.
According to a state police report, Murray was driving a Chevrolet Silverado in the center of four lanes between Exits 7 & 8. The Hamden woman, who was named Katherine Gavidia, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu in the wrong direction, south, in the same lane.
The two vehicles collided head on.
Firefighters had to extricate both Gavidia and Murray from their vehicles, because they were trapped inside.
Gavidia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Murray broke both legs “in multiple places,” his pelvis, and “at least five ribs.” He was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
He had been wearing his shoulder and lap belt, according to the state police report.
Police Chief Anthony Campbell said he visited Murray, whom he called a “great cop,” in the hospital around 2 a.m. as he was being prepared for reconstructive surgery. Though not life-threatening, his injuries present “long-term career challenges.”
“I ask that the community pray for both the officer and for the person who was killed,” Campbell said.
Murray, who is 29 years old, joined the force in 2014.
The state police are handling the investigation of the crash.
I feel so bad for this cop and his family. This man does face major physical pain and challenges and will have to relearn walking, bending, and running. If I wanted to cheer him up, I would remind him about Evil Kinevil the motorcyclist, who survived multiple fractures for a living.
This is why I take the train and also gave up driving. I am OLD. Aside from drunk drivers, we are now dealing with aging Boomers who should not be driving---bad vision, bad reflexes, or just bad. I predict a rise of trauma on American highways.
I just read MONSTER CITY about serial killers who love the interstates...among other things. It is a riveting read about another reason American road travel has its downside....great book!