Salem, CT – The State Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed or has dashcam footage of yesterday’s accident on Route 85 to contact Troop K.
At approximately 5:24 PM on Friday, July 19th, 2024, the Salem Vol. Fire Company, Gardner Lake Vol. Fire Company, American Ambulance Service Paramedic, and the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Troop K were dispatched to the area of 541 Hartford Rd, Route 85, for a motor vehicle accident with fire and serious injuries.
While en route Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications (QVEC), the regional dispatch center, received reports from the CSP that a victim had been ejected from the vehicle. This update prompted a request for a LIFE STAR air medical helicopter. The Colchester Fire Department was requested to the scene to establish a landing zone nearby.
According to the CSP, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited S, operated by a 51-year-old Old Lyme man, was traveling southbound on Route 85 navigating a slight “S” turn when the operator lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the right shoulder, striking a stone wall and a tree. After striking the objects the vehicle began to roll, ejecting the lone occupant. LIFE STAR transported the operator to Hartford Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The Connecticut State Police are asking that anyone who may have witnessed this accident, or who may have dash camera footage of the accident is asked to contact TFC Gregory DeCarli #1090 at Troop K- Colchester at 860-465-5400 or by email at gregory.decarli@ct.gov.
Agencies that responded or were dispatched included the Salem Fire Department, Gardner Lake Fire Department, Colchester Fire Department, American Ambulance Service Paramedic, Hartford Healthcare LIFE STAR, and the Connecticut State Police Troop K.
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