New Haven Man on a Motorcycle Being Chased by Police When He Crashed

Regardless of the circumstances of a crash, we generally don’t expect police officers who see the accident to leave the scene without notifying other authorities, but that appears to have been the case after a recent auto accident in Hamden.

A New Haven man on a motorcycle was apparently being chased by police when he crashed, and now an internal investigation is underway to see if the pursuing officer violated any laws or department policies. Meanwhile, the family of the deceased rider is grieving.

Apparently several witnesses said that police in Hamden were chasing the motorcycle, but there is question as to whether the chase was called for, given that many police departments have no-chase policies regarding motorcycles. Such chases can be extremely dangerous for everyone involved, including bystanders.

After the single-vehicle crash, witnesses also said they saw police turn off the cruiser’s lights and drive away from the scene, according to a news report. The motorcyclist, a father of two who was reportedly out of jail on parole, was left there on the ground with fatal injuries. It was pointed out that minutes are critical in such situations, and police allegedly failed to stop and render aid.

Connecticut State Police are investigating the accident.

When a death occurs because of another drivers’ negligence — even if that driver is an authority figure — then the results of an ensuing investigation may call for action in civil court, as well as criminal court. Family members of deceased accident victims sometimes pursue the full measure of justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Source: WTNH, “Lawsuit against Hamden police in fatal crash,” Stephanie Simoni, Aug. 21, 2013