WOODBRIDGE, CT — A projectile thrown from a bridge may have caused a fatal one-vehicle crash on Route 15 on Oct. 31, according to state police.
A motorist, Todd Atkins, 43, of Waterbury, suffered fatal injuries in the accident, which happened around 5:30 a.m. on Route 15 southbound, in the area of the Route 114 (Racebrook Road) overpass.
Atkins was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
State police said a preliminary investigation has determined Atkins' vehicle "may have been struck by an object that appears to have been dropped from the Route 114 (Racebrook Road) overpass over the southbound travel lanes of Route 15."
Investigators reviewed security camera footage in the area near the overpass, and detectives have identified a possible suspect vehicle. They are also trying to make contact with persons of interest, police said.
On Thursday, state police said the "vehicle of interest" is a light-colored SUV. State police declined to confirm details about the projectile, citing their ongoing investigation.
State police are asking for the public's help with information, or any camera footage near the accident site.
On Wednesday, the victim's sister, Dana Pietruszkiewicz, posted a statement on Atkins' family's behalf on Facebook.
"It appears that a projectile was thrown from the bridge," the family's statement said.
According to the family, the projectile went through Todd's windshield.
"He died from blunt force trauma to his torso," the family said. "Todd did nothing wrong except be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was just 43 years old. That he is gone so soon, and in this way, is unspeakably sad."
The victim's family is asking anyone who was along or near that stretch of Route 15 or Route 114 on Saturday morning, or who has any information, to contact state police.
"Todd loved the outdoors, and he loved being in his car, and there was no better time than on a picture-perfect Fall morning," the family's statement said. "He was a very caring and smart person. He loved his family and his friends. Todd would do anything to help anyone, whether he knew them his entire life or just met them."
Anyone who was traveling in that area on Oct. 31 around 5:30 a.m., who has relevant information or dash camera footage, is asked to contact Detective Adrian Holmes at 203-393-4200 or Adrian.Holmes@ct.gov.
Read more:
Driver Killed In Route 15 Crash In Woodbridge; ID Released
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