Motorist Strikes Car, Pedestrian, Before Leaving East Hampton Scene: Police

Update, Sept. 24, at 10:20 a.m.

A photograph of Jason Parent, provided by East Hampton police, was added to the article.

Original Post, Sept. 23, 2014 at 5:54 p.m.

At the intersection of Route 66 and Old Marlborough Road earlier in the day on Tuesday, Sept. 23, John Burtora, 53, of East Hampton, was attempting to control traffic using a hand held stop sign while standing on the paved travel portion of the westbound lane of Route 66.

Allen Pelletier, 59, was traveling westbound and slowed to a stop for Burtora, according to East Hampton police.

Jason Parent, 29, allegedly struck Pelletier’s car from the rear and forced it to rotate counterclockwise and come to an uncontrolled rest in the eastbound lane of Route 66, police said.

Parent then continued westbound, where he then allegedly struck pedestrian Burtora before leaving the scene, police said.

Burtora was transported to Hartford Hospital. Police said there is no official status on his injuries.

Pelletier was transported to a clinic in Marlborough and later released.

Police said Parent was located in close proximity to the scene and was taken into custody. He was charged with:

• Two counts of evading responsibility
• One count of operating with a suspended license
• One count of following too closely
• One count of distracted driving

Officers from the Portland Police Department and State Troopers responded to the scene to aid in the investigation. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.

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(Patch file photo)