Life-Threatening Injuries Reported In Wallingford Crash: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — Three Middletown residents were seriously injured, including two with life-threatening injuries, in a crash between an SUV and a bucket truck Monday morning in Wallingford, according to police. The crash, which involved a Commercial Use 1998 International Bucket Truck and a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, occurred at about 8 a.m. on Route 68 at its intersection with North Main Street Extension, according to Lt. Anthony DeMaio.

The operator of the Equinox, James Misenti, 68, of Middletown, was taken from the scene to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment of serious injuries while his two passengers, 71-year-old Rosemary Misenti (his sister, who was in the front seat) and rear seat occupant Joan Fazzino, 81, also of Middletown, were hospitalized for treatment of life-threatening injuries, according to DeMaio.

DeMaio said that all three were unresponsive while they were being taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital and are currently in intensive care. Arriving crews found James Misenti on the ground outside the vehicle and Rosemary Misenti was extricated from the vehicle, according to DeMaio.

The operator of the International truck, Dean DiDomizio, 49, of Waterbury, reported a non-evident injury at the scene, DeMaio said.

“The investigation, which is ongoing, revealed that the operator of the Equinox was traveling in a westbound direction on Route 68 approaching its intersection with North Main Street Extension,” DeMaio wrote in a press release. “The operator of the Equinox initiated a left hand turn in an attempt to then travel southbound on North Main Street Extension. When doing so, the Equinox entered the travel path of the International Bucket Truck that was traveling east bound through the intersection where the two vehicles collided. The main area of impact on the Equinox was concentrated at the passenger side front and rear doors.”

Traffic was affected for about three hours while Wallingford Police reconstructed the crash, according to DeMaio. The investigation is ongoing and any witnesses are asked to call Officer Christian Evans or Lt. Anthony DeMaio at 203-294-2819.

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