Bicyclist Struck, Seriously Injured; Woman Charged with DUI

NEW BRITAIN, CT — A teenage bicyclist was transported via LifeStar helicopter to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries early Sunday morning after being struck by a vehicle driven by a woman who was subsequently charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, New Britain police said.

Around 1:32 a.m., New Britain police, fire and EMS departments responded to the area of Corbin Avenue and Lincoln Street for a report of a serious crash involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 15-year-old New Britain resident, sustained serious injuries, police said.

A 16-year-old acquaintance of the victim was also riding a bicycle in the area at the time of the crash; however, he was not struck or injured and is cooperating with the investigation, police said.

The operator of the motor vehicle, Natalie Marie Torres, 24, of New Britain, was charged with driving under the influence, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and driving while using a handheld electronic mobile device. Bond information was not immediately available.

Torres’ two children, aged 2 and 3, were in the vehicle at the time of the crash; however, they were not injured and were later placed in the custody of a relative, police said.

Torres was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in New Britain Superior Court.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Sgt. Steven King at (860) 826-3071.

Photo courtesy of New Britain Police Department