Injured Naugatuck Police Lieutenant Released From Hospital

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck Police Lt. Mark Pettinicchi, who was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle earlier this month, was released from Waterbury Hospital Friday, where he had been undergoing weeks of treatment.

Pettinicchi, a 19-year veteran of the deapartment, suffered a shattered left ankle, broken right ankle and broken right tibia when a vehicle driven by shoplifting suspects slammed into him while he was directing traffic.

"This morning, [Pettinicchi] was transported by ambulance to a long-term rehab facility where he will continue his recovery from the injuries he sustained on 11/4/21 from a fleeing suspect," police officials wrote on Facebook (see below).

The suspects were arrested soon after the crash, after leading police on a chase through multiple communities. The three suspects, Francis Joseph Ibell, Stanton Ragar Trent and Asia Shynise Paulin, remain in custody.

"Lieutenant Pettinicchi's journey is far from over, and he has a long road to recovery ahead of him due to the nature of the serious injuries he has suffered," police said. "LT Pettinicchi wishes to express to the public that he has seen, heard, and felt the support of our communities. He says he has continually drawn strength from the support he has seen from the community and it has helped him on his road to healing."

A GoFundMe campaign was launched soon after the incident to help Pettinicchi and his family with expenses, and as of Friday, it had raised more than $25,000, far exceeding its goal of generating $10,000.

To view the GoFundMe page for Lt. Mark Pettinicchi, click here.

(Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner)