Cops: Dirt bike rider injured

NEW HAVEN — A 27year-old city man was hospitalized with serious injuries after a crash on Canal Street Monday night, according to police.

Capt. Anthony Duff said the crash occurred soon before midnight Monday, as the man rode a dirt bike without a headlight on Canal Street near the road’s intersection with Foote Street.

“Prior to the crash, investigators believe the dirt bike operator was riding with his front wheel in the air, commonly called performing a wheelie, and traveling southbound on Canal Street when an oncoming northbound motorist in a Hyundai sedan started a left turn maneuver to turn onto Foote Street. As the motorist began the turn, the dirt bike and car collided in the intersection,” Duff said.

New Haven and Yale police, as well as New Haven firefighters, responded to the scene, Duff said. The man was transported to the hospital, where he remained Tuesday.

“The man suffered head trauma and is unable to move his arms and legs. There is suspected paralysis but the full extent is unknown,” Duff said.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 32-year-old city woman, reported the crash to police, Duff said. She had parked her vehicle, which had a heavily damaged windshield, near Gregory and Canal streets, then went to the Yale police headquarters on Ashmun Street, he said.

“The motorist complained of a head injury and glass in her eyes. An ambulance transported the woman to the hospital where she has since been released,” Duff said. “As part of the investigation and for additional inspection, officers impounded the Honda CR85r dirt bike and the Hyundai Azera.”

The department’s Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash, Duff said. He asked witnesses who have yet to speak to police to call the New Haven Police Department at 203946-6316.