UConn Student from West Hartford Killed After Being Struck by FD Vehicle: Police

STORRS, CT — A University of Connecticut student from West Hartford was killed after being struck by a UConn Fire Department vehicle on the Storrs campus, Connecticut State Police said.

The student was identified as 19-year-old Jeffny Pally.

"Every student is precious to us, and this is a heartbreaking and tragic loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched," UConn President Susan Herbst said in a statement. "We know that words cannot begin to express their grief."

According to police, Pally was sitting with her back against the door of a unit police described as Bay 7 at the UConn Public Safety Complex. Around 1:15 a.m., the fire department received a request to respond at a nearby location. The call required the UConn Fire Department shift commander to respond in the vehicle, a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, parked inside Bay 7.

The door to Bay 7 opens and closes in a vertical manner, causing Pally to fall back onto the ground when it opened, police said. As the vehicle exited Bay 7, the right side of the car traveled over Pally, police said. The car has been towed to Troop C.

The firefighter who was driving the vehicle has been placed on an administrative duty position and will not respond to calls as the incident is investigated.

"At the request of the State's Attorney Office and the UConn police chief, troopers from Troop C-Mansfield and the Connecticut State Police Crash Analysis Reconstruction Squad (CARS) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation," police said in a statement.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information can contact Trooper Mark DiCocco at 203-630-8079 or at mark.dicocco@ct.gov. University officials said they are doing everything they can to assist with the investigation.

The university is encouraging students and staff to take advantage of counseling services available to them.

Image via Shutterstock