Three people killed in two-car crash on Christmas morning in West Hartford. City officials aim to assemble task force to make roads safer.
Three people were killed in a two-car crash on Simsbury Road in West Hartford on Sunday morning, according to police.
The West Hartford Police Department responded to a report of a two-car collision on Simsbury Road near Timberwood Road around 6:45 a.m. on Sunday. West Hartford police and fire personnel arrived on the scene and provided medical aid, police said.
Two people were pronounced dead on the scene, and a third person was transported to an area hospital. Despite lifesaving measures, the third person was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police.
Simsbury Road was closed to traffic in both directions from Bloomfield Avenue to Mohegan Drive as police conducted the investigation.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic loss of life, especially during this holiday season,” West Hartford Mayor Shari G. Cantor said in a statement on Sunday. “The families and friends of those involved in today’s incident will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
Cantor said in light of Sunday’s fatal crash as well as other recent road fatalities, she asked Town Manager Richard C. Ledwith to assemble a task force on traffic and pedestrian safety in West Hartford. An announcement will be made early next week, according to the statement on Sunday.
“The town council wants actionable steps we can take to make our roads safer,” she said.
Ledwith agreed, stating that said the safety of residents and travelers is always a top priority for West Hartford.
“Although the fatal motor vehicle collisions that have occurred in town over the last week are isolated incidents, any loss of life is unacceptable,” Ledwith said in the statement Sunday. “We are constantly studying, evaluating and improving road safety, and plans are already underway to step [up] those efforts with the creation of a traffic and pedestrian safety task force.”
There were three crashes in West Harford in the past week involving pedestrians.
On Tuesday evening, a pedestrian, identified as Eugenia Yurovsky, 89, of West Hartford, was killed in a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision on Boulevard in West Hartford. The driver has yet to be identified.
The following day, a second pedestrian, identified as Carlos Galarza, 60, of Bridgeport, was killed by a motor vehicle on Mohegan Drive in West Hartford. The driver involved in that incident is cooperating with police.
On Dec. 17, a vehicle struck a pedestrian while traveling northbound near 20 South Main Street, according to police. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick noted that all four of the crashes happened on different roads, and police do not believe any of the accidents are related.
“There are many factors that come into play involving motor vehicle collisions and, especially, motor vehicle and pedestrian collisions,” Riddick said in a statement on Sunday. “The consequences of a crash between a 4,000-pound vehicle and a human being can result in death or serious physical injury. Motor vehicle operators and pedestrians must comply with the law.
“Moreover, I strongly urge motor vehicle operators and pedestrians to avoid distractions such as cell phones, earphones, etc. and to focus their attention on the road — literally, lives depend upon it.”
All of the crashes are being investigated by the West Hartford Accident Reconstruction Team. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the West Hartford Police Department Tip Line at 860-570-8969 or email at whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.
