WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — A man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle in West Hartford on Friday, police said.
Police said a 61-year-old male was struck by a vehicle and sustained fatal injuries from the collision. The 67-year-old female who was driving the vehicle sustained minor injuries. Police still have not revealed the cause of the accident.
On Monday, police identified the victim as Bob Oneal, of Hartford. The driver was identified as Claudia Stetson, of West Hartford.
The crash happened at the intersection of South/North Main Street on Farmington Ave., a heavily trafficked area of town with stores and restaurants, according to police.
The intersection was closed from traffic for several hours but is now back open.
Pedestrian deaths are on the rise in Connecticut; the state is seeing about 60 pedestrian deaths a year and is on track to exceed that number this year, according to Watch for Me CT, a statewide campaign aimed at reducing roadway injuries and deaths.
“What we’re seeing right now is a real increase in pedestrian deaths. This year, so far we have 27 pedestrian deaths. Last year, there were 65,” said Kevin Borrup, Executive Director of Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center.
Borrup, said there are many reasons for this, but one is speed.
“Their speed is contributing to a lot of the driver deaths and we know that the faster you go if you do hit a pedestrian, they’re more likely to die. In fact, if you are going 40 mph, there’s an 85% chance that if you hit a pedestrian, that they will die,” he said.
Borrup Stressed the importance of drivers remembering to control their speed and stay alert on the roads. He said to slow down as you approach a pedestrian and be patient. As a pedestrian, he said to make sure to use the crosswalk.
This incident remains under investigation by the West Hartford Police Department Traffic Division. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact (860) 570-8860, the anonymous tip line at (860) 570-8969 or at the confidential email tip line; whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.
Elisha Machado is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at emachado@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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