ID of Child, 3, Killed In Waterbury Crash Released, 3 Injured

WATERBURY, CT — Connecticut State Police released new details in the fatal accident involving a three-year-old child and three others who were seriously injured Tuesday evening including a 1-year-old child.

At 3:45 p.m. Waterbury Police Officers, operating an unmarked Ford Crown Victoria, attempted to stop a male suspect, Zekhi Lee, 18, driving an Acura involved in a Waterbury Police Department criminal investigation, State Police said.

Lee refused to stop his vehicle and fled from the Waterbury police officers, State Police said. The suspect vehicle eventually became involved in a crash with a Toyota Corolla at the intersection of South Main and East Liberty streets, State Police said. At one point the suspect vehicle drove onto the sidewalk, State Police said.

During the course of the vehicle collision, four pedestrians on the sidewalk were struck by one of the vehicles, State Police said. A light pole was also struck and knocked down. Immediately after crashing, the suspect fled his vehicle on foot, but was apprehended by Waterbury Police Officers a short time later, State Police said.

The victims are: Justin Quiroz, 3, of W. Liberty Street in Waterbury, who died as a result of the accident, and three others sustained serious injuries including: Maria Morocho, 26, of W. Liberty Street, Rosa Morocho, 21, of W. Liberty Street, and Aylin Morocho, 1, of W. Liberty Street.

Lee was not injured, State Police said. The injured were taken to St. Mary's Hospital.

The State’s Attorney’s Office, Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime (WDMC) detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The Connecticut State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad (CARS) also responded to the scene and will conduct the crash investigation.

Anyone who may have any information or thinks they may have any information about the crash is asked to please contact Western District Major Crime Detective Ed Vayan at 203-267-2200 or text TIP711 with any information to 274637. All calls and texts will be kept confidential.

Image via State Police