Community Corner
New Haven Officer Diane Gonzalez, In Coma Since '08 Crash, Dies
Two cop cars collided while racing to a domestic violence call. Sgt. Dario Aponte was killed. Gonzalez succumbed to her injuries Monday.
NEW HAVEN, CT — Thirteen years ago, New Haven police Officer Diane Gonzalez, 47, and Sgt. Dario “Scott” Aponte, 43, were both headed to a report of a late night violent domestic dispute in progress.
As was reported at the time, a 911 caller said a man was beating a woman on the street and shouted, “He’s gonna kill her!”
While racing to the call, both officers’ vehicles collided at the intersection of Chapel and East streets.
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Aponte was killed instantly.
First responders were able to save the life of officer Gonzalez, however, she suffered a traumatic brain injury and slipped into a coma. A coma from which she never emerged.
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Monday, Gonzalez succumbed to the injuries that she suffered in that crash.
At the time of the crash in September 2008, she'd already served 13 years as a New Haven police officer. Aponte had served 17 years.
Gonzalez is survived by her two daughters, her son, and her grandchildren.
Read the New Haven Independent's story on the fatal crash here.
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