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Lea J. Petzold, of Litchfield, is accused of negligent homicide in the Feb. 4, 2024, death of 86-year-old Robert Rumsey, Connecticut State Police said.
Police said Petzold rear-ended Rumsey’s Toyota Corolla shortly after noon on Route 202 in Litchfield. The impact forced Rumsey’s vehicle into oncoming traffic, where it was hit by a Dodge Dart. Rumsey’s car ricocheted into a brick pillar on Tapping Reeve Drive, authorities said.
Police said Petzold was following too closely before the crash, preventing her from stopping in time.
Police initially believed Rumsey’s injuries were not life-threatening, but he died days later at the hospital, police said.
No one else was injured.
She was arrested Saturday and later released on a $50,000 bond, authorities said.
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