Meriden Crash Severs Pedestrian's Leg, Driver Arrested

Meriden Police are investigating a serious multi-vehicle accident that caused a Meriden pedestrian to lose his leg and resulted in the arrest of a motorist for DUI.

The crash was reported Feb. 5 around 10:45 p.m. in the area of 772 Broad St.

Three vehicles were involved along with a pedestrian.

Police arrived and found a 35-year-old Benjamin Ariza with a severed left leg and injuries to his right leg. Police quickly applied a tourniquet to stop the victim’s heavy bleeding.

Fire and ambulance personnel arrived and tended to his injuries before taking him to the hospital. His condition is unknown at this time, according to police.

So far the police investigation shows that a white Chevy Trailblazer traveling north on Broad Street attempted to make a left turn into the driveway of 772 Broad St. A Kia Sedona was behind the Trailblazer and also was attempting to turn into the driveway.

Ariza exited from the Trailblazer from the rear passenger door and stood between two vehicles waiting to the cross the street as the other vehicles waited for traffic to ease.

The Sedona was then struck from behind by a Nissan Titan operated by Danny Perez, 32. The crash pinned Ariza’s legs between the two the Trailblazer and Sedona and his left leg was severed by the collision.

Perez failed a field sobriety test and his blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit, police said. He was chared with DUI, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and reckless driving. He was held on a $20,000 bond.

This accident is being investigated by the Meriden Police Accident Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the accident are asked to contact Officer Donna Zurstadt at (203) 630-6215 or Lt. Thomas Cossette at (203) 630-6256. The accident is open at this time.