Crime & Safety

UPDATE: State Police Chase Ends in Death of Innocent Driver

A man being pursued by state police caused an accident that took another driver's life Sunday night.

Update: 12 p.m. Aug. 19
Connecticut State Police confirmed Monday that the fatal accident on White Turkey Ext. Sunday night was the tragic end to a brief police pursuit that resulted in the death of an innocent driver.

According to the incident report filed by state police, 25-year-old Eric Sciarretta, of Mount Laurel Drive, Waterbury, was stopped at a seatbelt enforcement checkpoint on the I-84 eastbound exit 5 on-ramp in Danbury around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.


During the stop, while the state trooper was walking back to check his information, Sciarretta sped off, with the trooper immediately following in pursuit.

The chase led onto Route 7 north into Brookfield and was reportedly called off by another trooper, Sgt. Van Ness, as Sciarretta took exit 11 down to White Turkey Ext. The pursuing officer continued down the off-ramp and discovered the accident at the bottom.

According to the accident report, Sciarretta, driving a 2002 Acura TL, drove head on into a Jeep Grand Cherokee driving on White Turkey.

Both the driver and passenger of the Jeep suffered serious injuries and the driver was pronounced dead on the way to Danbury Hospital. The names have been withheld while next-of-kin are notified.

According to eyewitness reports from the scene, Sciarretta was able to get out of his car after the accident and attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended and Tasered by state police.

Sciarretta was also transported to Danbury Hospital with neck and back injuries.

Any witnesses or persons with information about the case are asked to contact State Police Troop A in Southbury at 203-267-2200.

Court records show that Sciarretta was convicted of larceny in the second degree in 2006, serving three years probation on a suspended three-year prison sentence. He was also convicted with the sale of controlled substances in 2008 and sentenced to additional two years probation on a suspended one-year prison term.

Original Story: 

10 p.m. Aug. 18

A two-vehicle crash on a Route 7 on-ramp on White Turkey Ext. in Brookfield Sunday night resulted in at least one fatality and others transported to the hospital.

Brookfield police, fire and EMS and state police responded to the scene of the accident, which took place around 8 p.m. Sunday. The driver of one vehicle was reportedly killed in the accident and at least one passenger was extricated and brought to Danbury Hospital.

State police are handling the investigation but were unable to provide details Sunday night.



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