Second pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle this week in West Harford

A second person has died in West Hartford after being struck by a car, according to police. This was the third crash, and second fatality, involving a pedestrian in the past week.

“The West Hartford Police Department and town officials are very concerned regarding all motor vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions that [have occured] in our town,” West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick Jr. said in a release on Thursday.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, the West Hartford Police Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on Mohegan Drive, police said.

The victim, identified as Carlos Galarza, 60, of Bridgeport, sustained life-threatening injuries and was provided medical aid on the scene, police said. He was transported to an area hospital on Wednesday, where he later died as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision, police said Thursday.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators.

The West Hartford Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the incident. Based on a possible work-related injury, Connecticut Occupational Safety and Health was notified, police said.

Eugenia Yurovsky, 89, of West Hartford was struck and killed by a car just before 5 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Boulevard and Whiting Lane, police said.

The vehicle involved in the accident, possibly a white sedan, left the scene and has not yet been located yet, police said Wednesday.

On Saturday afternoon, a vehicle struck a pedestrian while traveling northbound near 20 South Main Street, according to police. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“The three most recent pedestrian collisions that have resulted in critical injuries and, tragically, two fatalities are currently under investigation, Riddick said. “Therefore, the contributing factors to the causes of the collisions have yet to be determined.

“The West Hartford Police Department Traffic Division and the town’s engineering department will evaluate the contributing factors to these accidents and then implement corrective action measures — including directed traffic enforcement,” Riddick said.

Riddick reminded all drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings, obey traffic laws and avoid distractions while traveling on the town’s roadways.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-5235203 or use the WHPD Tip Line at 860-570-8969 or email

whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.