UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 9:05 A.M.
Samuel Crews, the victim in Wednesday’s fatal one-car accident in Danbury, worked for more than 10 years for the Tarrywile Park Authority, said Becky Burr-Petro, the group’s executive director.
“He was just a great man,” she said. “He always had a smile on his face, was very dedicated to the park… He will be greatly missed.”
Crews previously worked as a caretaker for the park before becoming grounds and buildings foreman about five years ago, Burr-Petro said.
At the time of the accident, about 5 p.m., Crews was likely running errands for the park or going home for the day, she said.
ORIGINAL POST: WEDNESDAY 8:20 A.M.
DANBURY — Authorities have identified the driver in Wednesday evening’s fatal crash on Lake Avenue Extension as 55-year-old Samuel Crews, of Danbury.
The victim was driving westbound with a gray GMC Sierra City utility truck when he veered into the eastbound traffic lane, continued to travel off the road way and then collided with a tree, Police Lt. Christian Carroccio said in a news release this morning.
The impact resulted in significant front-end damage to the truck and Crews had to be extricated from it, police said.
Assistant Chief Mark Omasta said the roof and doors were cut off so emergency personnel could treat him while he was still in the truck, but he was then taken to Danbury Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The accident took place at about 5 p.m. just west of the Ethan Allen Inn.
Crews, who was traveling alone, worked as grounds and buildings foreman for the Tarrywile Park Authority, Mayor Mark Boughton said.
“He was a great man,” Boughton said. “He loved that facility. He was really happy doing what he did.
“It’s just a horrible event,” the mayor added.
The investigation is continuing. Any witnesses of the accident are asked to contact Officer Lance Brevard or Sgt. Rory DeRocco at 203-797-2156.