Stamford Driver Faulted in Wreck That Killed National Guardsman

By Alfred Branch

A driver from Stamford who was involved in a fatal accident in August that killed a Connecticut National Guardsman has been faulted for making an unsafe lane change that led to the crash, reports WTNH-TV.

The Aug. 7 crash on I-95 in Rye, NY killed Staff Sgt. Ronald R. Patterson, 43, of Bridgeport. He was a passenger in a military vehicle driven by Sgt. 1st Class Kayla A. Downey, 31, of Shelton, who was injured in the wreck.

Odson Meritle, 40, of Stamford, was identified as the other driver involved in the crash, but charges have not been filed, according to WTIC-AM.

Meritle was reportedly trying to exit the thruway when he veered in front of the military vehicle and crashed, wrote New York State Police in an accident report obtained by WTIC-AM. The crash caused the military vehicle to roll over and Patterson was ejected. Flags were ordered to be lowered to half-staff by Gov. Dannel Malloy following the crash.

Downey has recovered enough from her injuries to reportedly return to limited duty. New York State Police are continuing to investigate the accident.

Patch file photo.

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