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Hartford County, CT

'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old Plainville Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old Plainville Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old Plainville Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash Loved ones of a Connecticut man killed in a crash on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24, said he was a caring, funny, and loving young man. Peter Bienasz, of Plainville in Hartford County, was riding behind a Toyota Prius on Route 72 near the I-84 on-ramp, when he crashed into the back of the car, causing him to slam into a metal guardrail around 12:14 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, Connecticut State Police said. He was tossed from his bike and died at the scene.  Original Report: Police Detail Crash That Killed 23-Year-Old Motorcyclist Facebook/Peter Bienasz Memorials poured in on social medi…
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon To West Hartford Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon To West Hartford
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon To West Hartford The windows of Yemerica Coffee in Hartford County loudly proclaim it's coming soon. Though the owners have not given any definitive date of when that will be, several people have posted their excitement online about the prospect of having a Yemen coffee house close to home.  The coffee shop is located at 1000 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford. The cafe hasn't released its menu, but a Yelp page for the business says it will serve breakfast, brunch, coffee, and tea.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by القرية العربيه …
(UPDATE) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin (UPDATE) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin
(Update) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin Update: Authorities have identified the man killed battling the blaze as a 66-year-old retired Hartford firefighter. Click here for more information on him and the crash.  Original: A Connecticut firefighter was killed in an ATV crash while fighting a brush fire in Hartford County on Tuesday, Oct. 22, authorities said.  The Wethersfield firefighter was riding on a firefighting ATV that crashed around 5:30 p.m. in Berlin, where crews are battling a brush fire that has spread to 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain.  The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was on the s…
2 Killed In Fiery Crash In Burlington ID'd As Bristol Man, Woman 2 Killed In Fiery Crash In Burlington ID'd As Bristol Man, Woman
2 Killed In Fiery Crash In Burlington ID'd As Bristol Man, Woman Connecticut police have identified the man and woman who were killed after their car crashed into a tree and burst into flames earlier this month in Hartford County.  Tiffany Cormier, age 39, and Russell "Russ" Bunn, 59, both of Bristol, were identified as the victims in a single-vehicle crash at 61 Johnnycake Mountain Road in Burlington just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, Connecticut State Police said. Original Report: 2 Killed After Car Careens Off Road Into Tree Police said Cormier was behind the wheel of a Ford Taurus that veered onto the shoulder of the road for an unk…
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital Several people were hospitalized Sunday night, Oct. 20, after a tractor-trailer rollover crash that spilled fuel along I-84 in Hartford County, police said.  The crash was reported around 11:30 p.m. near eastbound Exit 39 after a car crashed into the truck carrying produce, causing it to roll, Connecticut State Police said.  The truck landed on its side and leaked fuel along the highway. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the crash to deal with the clean-up, authorities said.  Several people were injured in the crash, though none of their…
Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police
Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police A 31-year-old Connecticut registered offender was arrested twice in two days for inappropriately touching himself in public, authorities said. He was already out on bond for prior incidents.  Wojciech Warzynski, 31, of Farmington in Hartford County, was first arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 9, after he reportedly approached two females at the MDC Reservoir while fondling himself inappropriately, authorities said.  Officers had responded to the Farmington reservoir after multiple people called about a man acting suspiciously, officials said.  Warzynski was arrested the next day a…
Enfield Man ID'd As Driver Killed In I-91 Crash With Work Truck Enfield Man ID'd As Driver Killed In I-91 Crash With Work Truck
Enfield Man ID'd As Driver Killed In I-91 Crash With Work Truck Police have identified an 88-year-old Connecticut man as the driver who was killed when he crashed into a truck in Hartford County on Friday afternoon, Oct. 18.  William Higgins was driving south on Route 5 in Enfield when he left the road, went through a wooded grassy area onto I-91, and crashed into the truck around 2:30 p.m., Connecticut State Police said.  Paramedics rushed the Enfield man to Hartford Hospital, where he died of his wounds.  Responders also took the Lot and More work truck driver to the hospital for minor injuries.  Police are investigating the cras…
28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall In Burlington 28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall In Burlington
28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall In Burlington A 28-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Thursday morning, Oct. 18, in Hartford County, authorities said.  Guage Reichler was driving his Chevrolet Trailblazer along Stafford Avenue in Burlington just before 9 a.m. when his truck veered off the road for an unknown reason, crashed into a stone wall, and rolled over, Connecticut State Police said.  Paramedics pronounced the Burlington man dead at the scene, authorities said.  The circumstances around the crash are under investigation. Authorities ask anyone who witnessed the wreck or has dashcam …
Tavern To Close Location In Avon After 30 Years: Here's When Tavern To Close Location In Avon After 30 Years: Here's When
Tavern To Close Location In Avon After 30 Years: Here's When An Italian restaurant chain that has been around for three decades has announced when one of its Connecticut locations will close.  First & Last Tavern will serve its last meals at its location in the Hartford County town of Avon at 26 West Main St. (Route 202) on Sunday, Nov. 10, the chain announced on social media. The restaurant did not specify a reason for the closure but thanked those who stopped by over the decades, many of whom celebrated major life events within its walls.  "It's hard to believe 30 years has passed since we first opened our doors. As we reflect on it …
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard Connecticut State Police are asking for the public's help to track down an arsonist who caused $1 million in damages after they torched construction equipment in Hartford County.  Hammonasset Construction told police that someone set ablaze several vehicles parked in a secluded construction yard near exit 39A on I-84 in Farmington, authorities said.  The company said the fire happened over the weekend, Oct. 12-13.  Investigators said the fires would have been visible from both sides of the interstate. They ask anyone who saw the fire or has information on who set i…
Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In Rollover Crash On I-91 In Rocky Hill Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In Rollover Crash On I-91 In Rocky Hill
Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In Rollover Crash On I-91 In Rocky Hill A 22-year-old man who was a star running back for a Connecticut semi-pro football team was killed after crashing his car on I-91 in Hartford County, authorities said.  Davian Andrew Pallotto, of Prospect in New Haven County, died after he rolled his 2007 Cadillac CTS around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, Connecticut State Police said.  Pallotto was driving north on I-91 when he veered across a lane of traffic onto a grassy median, where the car lost control near Exit 23 and began to tumble, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.  Pallotto played running …
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove Police in Connecticut have a lot of questions after a car ended up in a Hartford County cove on Thursday, Oct. 10.  Police were called to Wethersfield Cove off of Main Street in Wethersfield around 7 p.m. after a 2004 Honda Pilot ended up in the drink. The three people inside were able to escape unharmed.  Wethersfield Police have deemed the incident as "suspicious." The driver told officers that the car's brakes failed, and the SUV rolled into the water, where it sank.  The Capital Region Dive Team helped pull the car from the water.  The incident remains under …
Bloomfield Mom Killed In Suspected DUI Crash Had Announced She Was Pregnant With Second Child Bloomfield Mom Killed In Suspected DUI Crash Had Announced She Was Pregnant With Second Child
Bloomfield Mom Killed In Suspected DUI Crash Had Announced She Was Pregnant With Second Child A 26-year-old Connecticut mother killed last week by a suspected intoxicated driver is being remembered for her sense of humor, her faith, and compassion for her friends and family.  Jada "Jay" Marie Upshaw was killed in a chain-reaction crash on I-91 in Rocky Hill in Hartford County around 8:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, Connecticut Police said.  Original Report: Jada Upshaw Killed In Multi-Car Crash In Rocky Hill Jay leaves behind a young daughter, and, according to a Facebook post she made last month, the Bloomfield native was pregnant with her second child — a baby boy du…
Several I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass In Enfield Several I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass In Enfield
Several I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass In Enfield Connecticut DOT workers are cleaning up the mess and inspecting the damage after a truck with a crane mounted to it crashed into an overpass on I-91 in Hartford County.  The truck struck the Route 190 bridge overpass in Enfield around 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, forcing workers to close three out of the four lanes, Connecticut State Police said. It's unclear how long they will be shut down.  The crane arm damaged the bridge's metal and concrete supports, and engineers were on the scene to inspect the extent of the harm.  Exit 47W remained open as of 1:30 p.m., but driver…
Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At Wethersfield Apartment: Report Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At Wethersfield Apartment: Report
Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At Wethersfield Apartment: Report The body of a 37-year-old Connecticut woman found inside a Hartford County apartment has been identified as a mother of 2, NBC Connecticut reported.  Lisa Beebe was found on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Parkridge Condominiums at 1320 Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield. She leaves behind a young son and daughter, her obituary said.  Paramedics were called to her apartment after receiving a report of a medical emergency. Authorities have not said what that was, but police ruled the circumstances "suspicious," officials said at the time. Investigators do not believe there is an ongoin…
Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-MPH Joyride On I-84 In Southington: Police Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-MPH Joyride On I-84 In Southington: Police
Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-mph Joyride On I-84 In Southington: Police A 29-year-old Connecticut man was clocked driving nearly twice the speed limit on I-84 in Hartford County over the weekend in a rented car, authorities said.  Agron Sadiku, of Woodbury in Litchfield County, was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree and reckless driving in Southington, Connecticut State Police said.  Related: Intoxicated Teen Busted Driving 113 mph In Southington Said He Was Coming From Brazil, Police Say A trooper pulled over Sadiku in a BMW around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, after clocking him driving 126 mph near Exit 32 of …
Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into East Windsor Tree Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into East Windsor Tree
Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into East Windsor Tree Police believe a man who was killed when his car crashed into a tree in Connecticut over the weekend may have suffered a medical emergency before the Hartford County wreck.  East Windsor Police were called to 119 Chamberlain Road around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, when an OnStar notification indicated a crash, authorities said. They found a single vehicle that had left the road and hit a tree in a wooded area.  The driver was unconscious and not breathing when officers arrived, police said. His passenger was awake but was suffering from severe injuries. Police have not rele…
Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver In Rocky Hill: Police Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver In Rocky Hill: Police
Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver In Rocky Hill: Police Police say an intoxicated Connecticut driver started a three-car, chain-reaction crash on I-91 in Hartford County that killed a 26-year-old woman and sent others to the hospital.  Jada Marie Upshaw, of Bloomfield in Hartford County, was killed around 8:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, in Rocky Hill, Connecticut State Police said.   The crash happened when a BMW — for seemingly no reason — veered into a neighboring lane and cashed into Upshaw's Nissan near Exit 23 in the southbound lanes, a police report said.  Upshaw's SUV and the BMW tumbled down the highway, and the sedan s…
Drug Dealer Admits To Giving 27-Year-Old Meriden Woman Drugs That Killed Her: Feds Drug Dealer Admits To Giving 27-Year-Old Meriden Woman Drugs That Killed Her: Feds
Drug Dealer Admits To Giving 27-Year-Old Meriden Woman Drugs That Killed Her: Feds A 40-year-old Connecticut man admitted in court this week that he supplied a 27-year-old woman with some of the drugs that led to her overdose death, authorities said.  Jimmy Lassus, of Wethersfield in Hartford County, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 30, to the distribution of fentanyl and oxycodone, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He faces up to 20 years in prison.  Investigators said Lassus sold oxycodone and fentanyl to a 27-year-old Meriden woman who died of an overdose in her bed on Oct. 6, 2023. The two exchanged multiple texts about drugs leading up to …
'We Are Devastated': Meriden Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Crash 'We Are Devastated': Meriden Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Crash
'We Are Devastated': Meriden Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Crash A 1-year-old baby in Connecticut was killed last week in a multi-car pile-up in Hartford County that sent several others to the hospital, authorities said.  Ella Salgado, of Meriden in New Haven County, was killed in the three-car crash on the Berlin Parkway just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, police said.  Several people in one of the vehicles were ejected when their vehicle rolled over. Multiple people in the car Ella was riding in were taken to the hospital for treatment. Police did not release an update on their conditions.  Ella was taken to the hospital, but doct…
Man, 23, Falls To His Death From New Haven Parking Deck Man, 23, Falls To His Death From New Haven Parking Deck
Man, 23, Falls To His Death From New Haven Parking Deck Police are investigating how a 23-year-old Connecticut man fell to his death from a parking deck and died, authorities said.  The man's body was found in New Haven by officers just before 2 a.m. next to a parking structure at 213 Crown Street on Sunday, Sept. 29, police said.  Firefighters were quick to the scene and performed CPR until responders could get him to a hospital.  Paramedics took him to Yale New Haven Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.  New Haven Police have not released the name of the Hartford County man as they notify his family. They sai…
Hiker Finds Missing East Windsor Man Dead In His Truck Hiker Finds Missing East Windsor Man Dead In His Truck
Hiker Finds Missing East Windsor Man Dead In His Truck A 64-year-old Connecticut man who went missing earlier this week was found dead on Wednesday, Sept. 25.  Ronald Lavoie left his Hartford County home in East Windsor around 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, but did not return, his family told police.  A hiker called police on Wednesday morning to report they found a man dead and slumped over in a truck. Police responded to the area around 12:30 p.m. to find Lavoie in his Chevrolet Silverado. Police do not suspect foul play, but the death remains under investigation.  Police did not say exactly where they found Lavoie's body or how …
Manchester Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck In Windsor Locks Manchester Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck In Windsor Locks
Manchester Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck In Windsor Locks A 38-year-old Connecticut man was killed on Tuesday, Sept. 24, after he lost control of his truck on I-91 and crashed, authorities said.  Hartford County resident James Macpherson, of Manchester, was behind the wheel of a 2002 Ford F-150 near Exit 40 in the southbound lanes when he crashed around 1:15 p.m., Connecticut State Police said.  The driver ahead of Macpherson said he saw the truck in his rearview mirror swerve off the road and into the grass median before abruptly pulling back onto the interstate and crashing into his vehicle, the police report said.  The impact tu…
Elderly Woman Set Bloomfield Apartment Fire, Admits It During Rescue: Police Elderly Woman Set Bloomfield Apartment Fire, Admits It During Rescue: Police
Elderly Woman Set Bloomfield Apartment Fire, Admits It During Rescue: Police A 70-year-old Connecticut woman admitted to starting a fire at her apartment as firefighters were putting out the flames, authorities said.  Hartford County resident Maria Salas, 70, of Bloomfield, is charged with first-degree arson, and was being held on a $500,000 bond, Bloomfield Police said.  Firefighters were called to the apartments at 24 Dorothy Driver around 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, to find it engulfed in flames.  As firefighters evacuated the building, Salas told them that she had set the blaze, police said. She didn't explain why or how. Crews removed an 89-year-ol…
Greenwich Restaurant Ranks As One Of Best Spots In State To Grab Burger Greenwich Restaurant Ranks As One Of Best Spots In State To Grab Burger
Greenwich Restaurant Ranks As One Of Best Spots In State To Grab Burger It's National Cheeseburger Day. And if you're looking for a great burger to celebrate, here are some of the best-reviewed spots in Connecticut according to Yelp.  Hungry Bull Burger Co. — 381 Farmington Ave. in Plainville View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hungry Bull Burger Co. (@hungrybullburgerco) This Hartford County burger joint boasts a nearly perfect score on Yelp! with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating. In fact, 80 of the restaurant's 94 reviews gave it a perfect score.  Highlighted review: "Awesome first visit t…
Did You Lose A Giant Snake At Canton Landmark? Police Want A Word Did You Lose A Giant Snake At Canton Landmark? Police Want A Word
Did You Lose A Giant Snake At Canton Landmark? Police Want A Word Police in Connecticut are asking for the public's help to track down the people who left a ball python at a reservoir in Hartford County.  Video from the Nepaug Reservoir off Route 202 in Canton showed several people dumping the snake and running away just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, Burlington and Canton Animal Control said in a Facebook post. There are several popular hiking and biking trails near the reservoir.  The snake was listed as "young," but was still much too large for this reporter's liking.  Police took the python into custody and are keeping it…
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In Berlin Basement Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In Berlin Basement
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In Berlin Basement A Connecticut man was busted with a large trove of commercial grade fireworks in his basement, police said. Hartford County resident Richard Valuk, age 47, of Berlin, turned himself in to Connecticut State Police on an active arrest warrant Friday, Sept. 6. According to police, troopers with the agency’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit responded to Valuk’s residence on Friday, Feb. 2, hours after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue. While at the scene, investigators discovered a “large cache” of illegal, commercial and consumer grade fireworks that were stored in h…
Farmington Man Charged With Attempting To Have Sex With Dog Farmington Man Charged With Attempting To Have Sex With Dog
Farmington Man Charged With Attempting To Have Sex With Dog A 65-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with allegedly attempting to have sex with a dog who belonged to a woman at a senior living facility. Hartford County resident Jose Ramos-Cordero, of New Britain, was arrested by the Farmington Police Department on Monday, Sept. 9, and charged with sexual assault of an animal, burglary, and disorderly conduct.  According to Lt. Matthew Corcoran of the Farmington Police, earlier in the day, the department received a complaint that video showed a maintenance worker at Brookdale Gables, a senior living facility, inside a tenant…
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From Newington 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds A Connecticut man faces more than a decade in prison after he admitted to stealing over $2 million from his former employer, authorities said.  Middlesex County resident Evan Bobzin, age 39, of Chester, pleaded guilty to interstate transmission of stolen money and tax evasion, the US Attorney General for Connecticut said.  Bobzin worked as the head of information technology at Hoffman’s Gun Center in the Hartford County city of Newington. The store also goes by the name Hoffman’s Guns For The Good Guys. The prosecutor said Bobzin stole cash from the 2686 Berlin Turnpike…
Illegal Street Race That Took Over Berlin Road Ends In Blown Tires, Handcuffs Illegal Street Race That Took Over Berlin Road Ends In Blown Tires, Handcuffs
Illegal Street Race That Took Over Berlin Road Ends In Blown Tires, Handcuffs Several drivers who tried to put on an illegal street race in Connecticut found out they weren't fast enough to get away from police and ended up furious when their cars were damaged in the attempt, officials said. Police in Hartford County were called to the Route 571 connector, Polish Legion Highway in Berlin very early Sunday, Sept. 1, Connecticut Police said.  Troopers found several vehicles trying to block off the road to hold an illegal underground street race there. Responders started to break up the revving racers before someone was hurt.  But some drivers refused to list…
Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In Windsor Locks: Police Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In Windsor Locks: Police
Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In Windsor Locks: Police A man wanted for starting a fire on the West Coast was found walking along a Connecticut highway on Tuesday, Aug. 27, authorities said.  Robert Parmalee, age 40, of Ritzville, Washington, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant and is expected to be extradited to Oregon, where he is wanted on an arson charge, Connecticut State Police said.  Police stopped Parmalee in Hartford County just after 11 a.m. walking alongside Route 20 in Windsor Locks. Officers said they spoke with him out of safety concerns considering where he was walking.  A judge ordered him h…