Fallout From Crash In City-Issued SUV Could Lead To Hartford Police Chief's Suspension

Hartford's police chief is facing suspension after he allegedly hit a guardrail in his city-issued SUV about six weeks ago.

Police Chief Jason Thody is accused of driving recklessly and not reporting an incident in which he hit a guardrail with his city-issued SUV.
Photo Credit: *Hartford Police*

Kristin Palpini

07/13/2020 1:15 p.m.

On Monday, July 13, the Hartford City Council will take up whether to suspend Police Chief Jason Thody from all duties while an investigation by the State Attorney into the incident is conducted, according to WTNH News 8.

Thody said he was distracted by his phone when the crash happened on Sunday, May 31, but a witness who called 911 after the chief's black Chevy Tahoe grazed a guardrail on Route 154 near the Haddam-Chester line, said he thought the driver, Thody, could be intoxicated, according to a recording of the 911 call.

Thody said, in a statement, he was sober and apologized for distracted driving, the Hartford Courant reported.

Hartford City Councilman Josh Michtom said he and other council members have many questions for Thody including: Why didn't Thody call in the accident to State Police?

"Our main concerns are that Thody may have failed to report the accident as required by law, that he was using a city vehicle for a personal, out-of-town trip, and that Council was only informed of this incident *after* it was reported publicly," Michtom said on his Facebook page.

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