The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Man dead, woman seriously hurt in crash
Jaws of Life used to remove victims
HADDAM — One man is dead and a woman seriously injured after a headon crash on Route 81 Thursday evening.
The accident happened just before 5 p.m., according to state police, near Hubbard Road and Soobitsky Drive. The driver killed in the crash was Andrew Douglas Hamilton, 41, of Norwich. The other motorist, who was seriously injured, was a 40-year-old woman who lives on State Street in North Haven, police said.
Hamilton was driving a 2004 Dodge Neon, and the North Haven woman a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. Both vehicles had front airbags deployed and were towed from the scene, according to the accident report.
Upon arrival, Haddam Volunteer Co. firefighters encountered two patients with serious injuries pinned inside their vehicles. Both drivers were wearing seat belts and air bags were deployed, according to fire officials. Each vehicle sustained severe damage with more than a foot of intrusion into the drivers’ compartments.
Hamilton was heading south on Route 81, known as Killingworth Road, at the time of the accident, police said. After removing the driver’s side doors, center pillar and dash, crews were able to rapidly extricate the patient.
Life Star, Hartford Hospital’s critical care helicopter, was requested, but was unable to respond due to poor weather, officials said. Hamilton, who was pending traumatic arrest, was sent to Hartford Hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.
The North Haven woman’s legs were trapped under the brake pedal, fire officials said. Firefighters used rescue tools to remove the driver’s side door and roof, attempted to cut the pedal, but were ultimately unsuccessful due to a limited work area. Crews lifted, or “rolled,” the dash to free the patient’s legs, fire officials said. She was taken to Hartford Hospital by Hunter’s Ambulance, the release said.
The road remained closed for several hours following the incident. Connecticut State Police are investigating.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information pertaining to it is asked to contact Haddam Resident State Trooper Joseph DeAngelo at Troop F in Westbrook at 860-3992100.