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Hartford County, CT

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$3M Lottery Jackpot: Massive Winning Ticket Sold In CT $3M Lottery Jackpot: Massive Winning Ticket Sold In CT
$3M Lottery Jackpot: Massive Winning Ticket Sold In CT It was a very lucky week for several Nutmeggers after more than 1,100 people collected cash playing games, but the biggest jackpots were a $3 million ticket and a $242,000 winner.  The $3 million ticket was sold in Hartford County at Cumberland Farms at 1978 West Street in Southington.  The winner correctly guessed all the white balls in the Mega Millions drawing on Saturday, Nov. 9, which earned them $1 million. The multiplier was x3, tripling the prize money.  The store will get a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket. The $242,930 was a $10 Fast Play Stacks of Ca$h …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Ex-CT Police Chief Dies After Long Illness: 'To Know Him Was To Know Love' Ex-CT Police Chief Dies After Long Illness: 'To Know Him Was To Know Love'
Ex-CT Police Chief Dies After Long Illness: 'To Know Him Was To Know Love' The longest-serving police chief in Connecticut history died last week at his home surrounded by his family, police in Hartford County said.  Former Windsor Police Chief Kevin C. Searles fought a long battle with dementia and died from the disease on Thursday, Nov. 7, his obituary said.  Searles worked for the Plainville Police Department, rising to the rank of detective, before taking the top cop job in Windsor in 1987. He held the position for 28 years.  He stepped down in December 2014 for medical reasons.  His family said he became a police officer because of …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Killed Walking Along CT Highway; Police Investigating Crash Pedestrian Killed Walking Along CT Highway; Police Investigating Crash
Pedestrian Killed Walking Along CT Highway; Police Investigating Crash Police in Connecticut are asking to speak to witnesses of a crash on Sunday, Nov. 10, that left a pedestrian dead in Hartford County.  Authorities were called to the wreck at the intersection of Barnes Highway (Route 72) and Lincoln Avenue in Bristol just before 6 p.m. and found a man suffering severe injuries, police said.  Paramedics rushed him to an area hospital, where he died of his wounds. Bristol Police have not released his name.  The driver who struck him remained at the scene and was cooperating with police.  Bristol Police shut down a portion of Barnes Highw…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Racist Texts Sent To CT Students, Kids Across Country Promises Return Of Slavery Racist Texts Sent To CT Students, Kids Across Country Promises Return Of Slavery
Racist Texts Sent To CT Students, Kids Across Country Promises Return Of Slavery Students in Connecticut were not spared a racist text message that has been received by children across the country threatening to put Black and Brown men and women into plantation slavery under the Donald Trump administration.  Authorities in Bloomfield in Hartford County posted a statement on Facebook saying the school system condemns "any and all forms of racism, prejudice, or hate within our community." Racist language, behavior, and rhetoric have no place in Bloomfield, and we are committed to ensuring that every member of our community feels safe, valued, and respected. In c…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Southington Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure Southington Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure
Southington Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure After almost a decade, an indoor bowling alley and entertainment center in Connecticut that doubled as a bar and restaurant has announced its closure.  Crystal Bees, located in the Hartford County town of Southington at 240 Spring St., announced its immediate closure on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in a post on social media and its website. In its announcement, the business, which consisted of a bowling alley, arcade, music venue, bistro, and bar, attributed its end to "the current economic landscape," which made it hard for it to "continue as a restaurant and entertainment venue."  "Fro…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Peeped On Neighbor As She Bathed With Baby: Police Man Peeped On Neighbor As She Bathed With Baby: Police
Man Peeped On Neighbor As She Bathed With Baby: Police Authorities said a Connecticut woman who was bathing with her 1-year-old child caught her neighbor peeping into her window to watch them.  Joshua Gonsalves, age 34, of Andover in Hartford County, was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing in the third degree, disorderly conduct, and voyeurism, Connecticut State Police said.  The woman told police she was in the tub with her child around 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, when she saw a man watching them through a window. She recognized him as her neighbor: Joshua Gonsalves, police said.  Startled, she slapped the window w…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
'I Never Intended To Shoot Anyone': Man Turns Himself In Over Road Rage Incident 'I Never Intended To Shoot Anyone': Man Turns Himself In Over Road Rage Incident
'I Never Intended To Shoot Anyone': Man Turns Himself In Over Road Rage Incident A 69-year-old Connecticut man said he didn't plan to shoot anyone after waving his pistol at a driver who had cut him off in traffic, authorities said.  Joaquim Pereira, of Wethersfield of Hartford County, is charged with first-degree threatening with a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree breach of peace in connection with the road rage incident, Connecticut State Police said. Pereira turned himself over to police on an unrelated warrant on Thursday, Oct. 30.  The alleged incident happened on Aug. 10, when a driver said they "accidentally" cut …

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by Josh Lanier
News
How The Internet Tracked Down CT Man's Stolen Car In Hours How The Internet Tracked Down CT Man's Stolen Car In Hours
How The Internet Tracked Down CT Man's Stolen Car In Hours The best true crime series happened in real-time this week on Reddit after a Hartford County man's car was stolen at a gas station, and his best friend decided to do something about it.  Juan Marrero, of New Britain, stopped to get gas around midnight on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Shell Station on the border of Plainville and New Britain. He left the car running as he filled his tank.  As Marrero waited, he noticed a friend a lane over and walked a few feet away to say hi. Within seconds, a black Mercedes pulls up, a man gets out, slips into the driver's seat of M…

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by Josh Lanier
News
$2M Lottery Jackpot: 2 CT Players Split Massive Payday $2M Lottery Jackpot: 2 CT Players Split Massive Payday
$2M Lottery Jackpot: 2 CT Players Split Massive Payday Two Connecticut Lottery players split a $2 million jackpot after buying the ticket in New Haven County.  The players from Wallingford in New Haven County and Wethersfield in Hartford County won the money playing the "$2,000,000 Jackpot," a $20 scratch game. Related: Lottery Hot Streak: $3M In Prizes Won In 4 Days Across CT The players chose to take the lump sum payment of $1.5 million (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  They bought the ticket at Food Land at 250 S. Colony Road in Wallingford. The store will get a $20,000 bonus for the sale. 

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old Killed In Motorcycle Crash
'Gone Too Soon': Friends Mourn 23-Year-Old 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
(UPDATE) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire (UPDATE) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire
(Update) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
2 Killed In Fiery Crash ID'd As 39-Year-Old Woman, 59-Year-Old Man 2 Killed In Fiery Crash ID'd As 39-Year-Old Woman, 59-Year-Old Man
2 Killed In Fiery Crash ID'd As 39-Year-Old Woman, 59-Year-Old Man 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Sex Offender Nabbed Approaching Women, Fondling Himself; He Was Busted Again A Day Later: Cops Sex Offender Nabbed Approaching Women, Fondling Himself; He Was Busted Again A Day Later: Cops
Sex Offender Nabbed Approaching Women, Fondling Himself; He Was Busted Again A Day Later: Cops 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…

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by Josh Lanier
News
28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall 28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall
28-Year-Old ID'd As Driver Killed In Rollover Crash After Truck Hits Stone Wall 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Tavern To Close Location In CT After 30 Years: Here's When Tavern To Close Location In CT After 30 Years: Here's When
Tavern To Close Location In CT 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 …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Construction Yard Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Construction Yard
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In CT Rollover Crash On I-91 Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In CT Rollover Crash On I-91
Semi-Pro Football Player Killed In CT Rollover Crash On I-91 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up Underwater Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up Underwater
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up Underwater 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Mom Killed In Suspected DUI Crash Had Announced She Was Pregnant With Second Child Mom Killed In Suspected DUI Crash Had Announced She Was Pregnant With Second Child
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…

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by Josh Lanier
News
I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass
I-91 Lanes Closed After Truck Strikes, Damages Overpass 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At Apartment: Report Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At Apartment: Report
Mom Of 2 ID'd As Victim Of 'Suspicious' Death At 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-MPH Joyride On I-84: Police Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-MPH Joyride On I-84: Police
Man Takes Rented BMW On 126-mph Joyride On I-84: 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into Tree Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into Tree
Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Hurt After Car Crashes Into 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver: Police Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver: Police
Woman, 26, Killed In I-91 Crash Caused By Intoxicated Driver: 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: Feds Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: Feds
Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'We Are Devastated': Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Rollover Crash 'We Are Devastated': Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Rollover Crash
'We Are Devastated': Baby ID'd As Victim In Fatal Turnpike Rollover 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…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Man, 23, Falls To His Death From Parking Deck Man, 23, Falls To His Death From Parking Deck
Man, 23, Falls To His Death From 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…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Hiker Finds Missing Man Dead In His Truck Hiker Finds Missing Man Dead In His Truck
Hiker Finds Missing 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 …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
38-Year-Old Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck After Hitting Truck 38-Year-Old Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck After Hitting Truck
38-Year-Old Man Killed In I-91 Rollover Wreck After Hitting Truck 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…

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by Josh Lanier