Officer Injured When Driver Crashes Into Vehicle While Adjusting Heater: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden police officer and a Cheshire resident were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the driver crashed into the police vehicle when she looked down to adjust her heater on Saturday morning, according to police.

At about 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 26, Officer Michael Pantera was traveling southbound on Whitney Avenue in his police vehicle, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said a female, who was standing on the northbound side of the roadway, signaled for him to stop.

“As Officer Pantera slowed his vehicle and prepared to make a left turn, his vehicle was struck from the rear by a vehicle, which was operated by a 32-year-old Cheshire resident,” Smith said in a press release. “Investigation revealed that she was ‘looking down’ to adjust her heater, prior to impact.”

Officer Pantera and the Cheshire resident were transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Smith.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Eric Hallstrom of the Hamden Police Department at (203) 230-4000.

Photos courtesy of the Hamden Police Department

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