ID, New Details Released In Groton Fatal Crash Involving Several Vehicles: PD

GROTON, CT — Police released new details Tuesday afternoon concerning a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles, including several dirt bikes and ATVs.

At 9:26 p.m. Monday, police responded to a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of Long Hill Road and Meridian Street Extension, police said.

Police said they determined that a 2010 Audi Q7 being driven by a 24-year-old Groton resident was traveling south on Long Hill Road.

"As (the) vehicle approached the intersection of Meridian Street Extension, it had a left green arrow allowing it to make a left turn into the Groton Shopping Center, 694 Long Hill Road," police said in a news release.

"As (the driver) proceeded to turn left into the Groton Shopping Center, several dirt bikes and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) were traveling north on Long Hill Road and into the intersection," police said. "The traffic light at this intersection for northbound traffic would have been red at this time. Witnesses reported the dirt bikes and ATVs were operating northbound, some with no lights on. One of the dirt bikes with two riders on it entered the intersection and struck the right rear passenger section of (the Audi) vehicle."

The passenger of the dirt bike, Tiara Wheeler, 24, of Rogers Road in Norwich, was thrown from the dirt bike and struck the Audi causing fatal injuries, police said. The male operator of the dirt bike, Scott Whipple, 25, of Coachman’s Pike, Mashantucket, also struck Vinoya’s vehicle and suffered critical injuries, police said.

Whipple was transported to L&M Hospital, New London for treatment, but then was airlifted to Yale New Haven Hospital where he remains in critical condition, police said. The operator of the Audi was transported to L&M Hospital to be evaluated and was later released, police said.

"Further reports from the scene indicated some of the ATV and dirt bike riders removed the dirt bike that was involved in the crash from the scene without providing assistance to the two injured riders," police said in a news release. "Groton Officers had earlier observed, a group of riders operating recklessly on Long Hill Road and Route 12, doing donuts and popping wheelies in intersections and apparently attempting to bait officers into pursuing them, which officers did not do."

Police Chief L. J. Fusaro issued a statement regarding the fatal crash: "This is a very unfortunate tragedy that resulted in the loss of life of one young lady, and a second young man is clinging to life. From all indications, there was a group of motorcycles and ATVs that were operating recklessly both before and after this crash. What is most troubling is that someone who may have been traveling with them stopped for this crash, and rather than rendering aid to the critically injured parties, removed the dirt bike from the road. In addition to the wanton disregard for human life, the actions of removing the involved dirt bike from the scene has tampered with and impeded this investigation.

"Moreover, reckless behavior on the roadways poses a danger to those operators and innocent motorists. Unless this behavior stops, I fear more of these senseless tragedies will occur. We are appealing to the public for assistance with this case and urge anyone who may have information about this crash, the location of the involved dirt bike or the identity of any persons who were in this group of riders to contact the department," Fusaro concluded in his statement.

This accident remains under investigation. If anyone witnessed this crash or has other information which would assist officers with this case, please call the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.