A man in Ansonia who struck and killed a senior citizen back in September is now facing serious charges for his role in the crash, according to local sources. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has confirmed the vehicle involved in the crash, a pickup truck, failed inspection and should not have been on the road. This has led to the arrest of the driver, a 24-year-old man, who now faces multiple charges related to the fatal accident.
According to the report, a 78-year-old man was struck and killed by the accused driver on Sept. 23, 2018. Apparently, the younger driver allegedly ran a red light before crashing into the senior’s vehicle, killing him. Inspection of surveillance cameras corroborated this claim, and the man was arrested. He was released on $10,000 bond in advance of a court appearance on Jan. 14.
Ansonia police reportedly spoke with a state supervisor with the DMV, who said the vehicle had been inspected and failed for a number of safety violations prior to the accident. When questioned, the driver’s girlfriend, who was with him at the time of the inspection, admitted the vehicle should not legally have been on the road. The man is accused of knowingly circumventing the inspection by using dealer plates registered in Texas.
In a situation where a driver can be proven to have materially contributed to a fatal accident, criminal conviction seems likely. However, it is important to note that even if he is exonerated in criminal court, Connecticut law offers alternatives to the family of the deceased victim. They are entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver in civil court, and with the correct evidence pointing to his contribution to the crash, the court may choose to award financial damages to the family.
