Police try to retrace route of driver in fatal crash

Body was found a mile away the next day

ORANGE — Police are trying to retrace the steps of a town man who was involved a crash on West River Road on Jan. 3, then found dead approximately 15 hours later about a mile away.

Around 10:45 p.m. Jan. 3, first responders were dispatched to an apparent single-vehicle crash on West River Road involving an orange Dodge Challenger, police officials said previously. Arriving units believed the driver suffered injuries, but was not immediately found in the vicinity.

Around 2 p.m. the next day, officers found the driver, identified as 56-year-old Orange resident Robert Doohan, dead on Treat Lane, about a mile away from the crash scene, police said.

Lt. Ray LaPlante said Wednesday that, as the investigation continues, officers are seeking to determine how Doohan got to the crash site, including working on a timeline of his actions in the hours prior.

Police also are awaiting information on Doohan’s cause and manner of death from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, LaPlante said.

Doohan’s manner of death is still being studied and his cause of death remains under investigation, Linda Sylvia, executive secretary with the medical examiner’s office, said in an email.

The length of that process varies, Sylvia said, but could last for six to eight weeks if toxicology results are required.

LaPlante said criminal charges are not expected to be filed in the case, as only one car seemingly was involved in the crash.

Doohan, a New Haven native, was the “beloved husband of Dr. Sapna Tandon” and the “proud owner of Bob’s Construction, LLC,

formerly known as Bob’s Up and Over Roofing for many years,” family members said in his obituary.

“Bob prided himself in the quality of his craftmanship and the solid relationships he attained with his customers throughout his years in business. He enjoyed boating, snowmobiling and cars. Bob was a lover of all animals and an avid collector of Hot Wheels,” his family said.

In addition to his wife and parents, Sharon Kelsey and Gordon L. Kelsey of Naugatuck, Doohan leaves behind a daughter, brother, nieces, and several aunts, uncles and cousins, his family said.

Police asked anyone with information about the matter to call the department at 203-891-2130.

Orange Police Department / Contributed photo Orange police responded to a single-car crash on West River Road Jan. 3, according to the department.