Juvenile Fatally Injured after Crashing Car Stolen from Westport: Police Departments Release Joint Statement
Press Release, 02/16/21 (3:13 PM)
Fairfield and Westport Police Departments Investigating Crash of Stolen Vehicle that Led to Death of Juvenile Suspect
WESTPORT — Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras and Westport Police Chief Fotios Koskinas report that their departments are investigating an incident where a juvenile male suspect stole a motor vehicle in Westport and then fatally crashed in Fairfield yesterday.
At approximately 8:05 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, Westport Police received a report of a vehicle that was stolen from the Exxon Gas Station, located at 1510 Post Road East in Westport. The operator of the vehicle was paying for gas inside the gas station when his 2019 Honda Pilot was stolen from the pump.
A short time later, Westport Police located the stolen vehicle driving in the area of Turkey Hill Road and Post Road East. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but disengaged due to the suspect’s reckless driving and high speeds.
Minutes later, at approximately 8:12 a.m., a Fairfield Police Detective came upon a motor vehicle crash involving the stolen vehicle at the intersection of Post Road and Jelliff Lane in Fairfield.
The gray Honda Pilot rolled over and came to a stop off the side of the road. The driver, later identified as a juvenile male from Bridgeport, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered what appeared to be serious injuries. Fairfield Police and Fire personnel provided emergency medical care on scene and the male was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport where he later died.
The Fairfield Police Crash Investigation Unit is conducting an investigation and reconstruction of the crash while the Westport Police Department continues to investigate the stolen vehicle incident. Initial crash reconstruction data indicates the suspect vehicle was traveling 99 miles per hour five seconds before the crash occurred.
Fairfield Chief Kalamaras and Westport Chief Koskinas express their sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have additional information is asked to contact either the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800 or Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.
This incident remains under active investigation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 16, 2021
Lieutenant David Wolf
Blue Skies
A scene of blue skies and white clouds could be found this afternoon as rain left the area.
UPDATE: Westport Police Civilian Review Board on Agenda at Public Safety Meeting POSTPONED to March 1.
This meeting was postponed to March 1. No explanation was given regarding the sudden postponement of the meeting.
A discussion on a police civilian review board will take place tonight on Zoom at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held by the RTM Public Protection committee, and will discuss the proposal made by Westporter Jason Stiber to counter First Selectman Jim Marpe’s plan of a similar panel.
Agenda:
To discuss and vote to recommend to the full RTM on the following: A proposed ordinance by Jason Stiber to create a Civilian Review Board as oversight for the Westport Police Department. The purpose of such a board would be to investigate citizen complaints against members of the Westport Police Department. To also participate in hiring decisions for officers of the WPD, and to receive and make recommendations for service awards for officers of the WPD.
NBC: Westporter Dies in Stowe, Vermont Ski Accident
Photo by Jaime Bairaktaris from Stowe Mountain Resort, February 17th 2020A Connecticut man died in a ski accident in Vermont on Monday.
Arthur Powers, 60, of Westport, hit a tree while skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont, according to police.
Ski Patrol members provided emergency medical care to Powers on the mountain before bringing him off the hill to EMS personnel. The EMS crew continued to work on Powers but he died at the resort, police said.