Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

[email protected]

Josh Lanier started his reporting career in high school for his local newspaper. Many — many — years later, he’s still chasing leads for compelling stories. During his time writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, he’s covered everything from murderers to mommy bloggers, but his most interesting story is always the next one.

Josh Lanier's Contributions

New Canaan, CT

Police & Fire

NY Man Arrested Again In New Canaan, Now Facing Strangulation, Police Impersonation Charges A New York man who was arrested twice in Connecticut last month is back in custody after police said he was wanted on new charges tied to a vicious domestic incident. Christopher Douglas Hassel, 42, of Syosset, New York, was arrested on an active warrant by the New Canaan Police Department earlier this month, authorities said. Hassel is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation/suffocation, criminal impersonation, impersonating a police officer, and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $50,000. The latest arrest comes just weeks after Ha…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Windsor, CT

Police & Fire

Speeding Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91 In Windsor; 4 Taken To Hospital A speeding driver sparked a five-car chain-reaction crash on Interstate 91 North in Windsor that sent four people to the hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities. Police said four of the five vehicles were slowing down near Exit 37 or stopped because of traffic ahead when a fifth vehicle approached from behind, "traveling at a high rate of speed" shortly after 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Connecticut State Police said. Investigators said the driver swerved right in an attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, the vehicle clipped the rear of an SUV in the right lane. The…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Wallingford, CT

Police & Fire

Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers. Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds. Wallingford police said PTO officials said $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it. Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police …

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

New Haven, CT

Police & Fire

Bridgeport Motorcyclist Critically Injured In New Haven Crash While Riding With Other Bikers A 35-year-old Bridgeport man is fighting for his life after crashing his motorcycle on a New Haven street while riding with a group of other motorcyclists, police said. Editor's note: Police initially reported the man had died, but issued a correction just after 12:30 p.m. Monday after our story was published. Officers believe the man was riding west on Grand Avenue near the intersection of East Street in New Haven when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, police said. Responding officers found the rider with severe injuries.&…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Meriden, CT

Police & Fire

Fatal Baseball Bat Attack Ends With Meriden Officer Shooting Suspect: State Police Connecticut State Police released new details after a Meriden police officer shot a suspect accused of beating someone to death with a baseball bat over the weekend. An officer responded to a home on Sagamore Road in Meriden around 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, after reports of a domestic violence incident. Police arrived to find a man allegedly violently beating someone with a baseball bat, Meriden police said. The victim died at the scene, police said. During the encounter, the Meriden officer shot the suspect, authorities said. Paramedics took the suspect to a hospital, but police have not re…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Norwalk, CT

Police & Fire

2 Teens Thrown From Scooter In Norwalk Crash, 16-Year-Old Fighting For Their Life A 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries after a moped carrying two teens crashed into an SUV at a busy Connecticut intersection over the weekend, sending them both to the hospital, police said. The crash happened around 2:54 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the intersection of Water Street and Hanford Place in Norwalk, according to police. Investigators said the scooter, occupied by two 16-year-olds, collided with an SUV that was making a left turn. The impact threw both teens from the scooter. Neither was wearing helmets. The scooter operator suffered life-threatening injuries. …

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Windsor, CT

Police & Fire

Enfield Driver Killed After Car Rolls Onto I-91 In Windsor, Hit By Oncoming Vehicle A Connecticut man was killed over the weekend after his car crashed, rolled over, and was hit by another vehicle on Interstate 91 in Windsor, according to David Csaszar, 35, of Enfield, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu on I-91 North near Exit 37 around 3:41 a.m. Sunday, July 19, when Connecticut State Police said he left the roadway and hit the guardrail along the right shoulder. His car then crossed all three travel lanes, hit the median, and rolled onto its side in the center lane. An Infiniti G35 then slammed into the overturned Malibu, police said. Csaszar was pronounced dead at th…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Westport, CT

News

Craig Melvin Thanks Supporters After 'Today' Intruder, Roker Backs 'Brother'; Guard Loses Job A day after a man allegedly sneaked into the NBC studios during the "Today" show and yelled a racial slur at co-host Craig Melvin, the Weston, Connecticut, resident thanked viewers for their outpouring of support. But as his colleagues rallied around him, one security guard was left without a job. In a brief remark on the Friday, July 17, episode of "Today," Melvin said he was rattled but thankful for his co-hosts and colleagues, who were quick to come to his aid. "Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest," the anchor said, adding that the show is "cooperating full…

by Josh Lanier

07/17/2026

Fairfield, CT

News

'Amy' Wants To Trim Your Trees, Wash Your House, Fix Your Roof — And Empty Your Wallet If you live in Connecticut, there's a good chance you know Amy. Maybe she's texted you about her tree-trimming service. Got a dirty driveway? Amy has a pressure-washing business that will fix it right up. Are your gutters in shambles? Amy's got you. From roofing to leaky pipes, Amy has what you need. But there's one hiccup: Amy isn't real. Neither is Dave. Or James. Or Michael. They're part of a growing wave of scam texts hoping to catch homeowners in need, and they are everywhere. There are dozens of Reddit threads featuring hundreds of these nearly identical messages, including one …

by Josh Lanier

07/17/2026

Southington, CT

Police & Fire

Ex-State Trooper Accused Of Drunk Crash In Southington Gets Chance To Avoid Conviction: Report A former Connecticut State Police trooper accused of crashing his cruiser while off duty with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit has been granted a special diversionary program, according to CT Insider. Jacob Drechsler, 24, of Southington, was granted Accelerated Rehabilitation, a two-year diversionary program, on Wednesday at state Superior Court in New Britain, the report said. The decision stems from a Halloween night crash on Flanders Road on Oct. 31 in Southington. The program provides Drechsler the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction if he completes its…

by Josh Lanier

07/17/2026

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