ID Released in Branford Fatal Accident: UPDATE

BRANFORD, CT - Police say a 33-year-old Wallingford man died after his car struck a tree Friday afternoon.

Police say the car was traveling at a high rate of speed and passing motorists pulled the man identified as Michael Deliberto, 33, of 1200 South Curtis St. from the car before it burst into flames, but attempts to save the man were unsuccessful.

Leetes Island Road was closed most of the afternoon while police and members of the South Central Connecticut Traffic Unit investigated the crash which occurred just after 12:45 p.m., police said.

"Although the crash remains under investigation, officers who are reconstructing the crash believe the victim ... was traveling southbound, at a high rate of speed, in the area of 340 Leetes Island Road when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree," police said.

Deliberto, who was the only passenger in the car, was pulled from the wreckage by passing motorists before the vehicle erupted in flames, police said.

While members of the Branford Fire Department extinguished the fire, paramedic’s attempts to save Deliberto’s life were unsuccessful. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Branford Police at 203-481-4241.