Reginald Collins, a 59-year-old man, has been charged with negligent homicide following a fiery crash on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in Connecticut. The incident, which occurred in April 2023, resulted in the death of Wallace Fauquet III, a fuel delivery truck driver. Collins turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday after an arrest warrant was issued against him.
According to state police, Collins was driving his car on the southbound side of the bridge when a blown-out tire caused him to swerve and come to a stop in the right lane instead of pulling onto the right shoulder. Subsequently, a fuel delivery truck collided with Collins’ car, flipping over and catching fire. Fauquet, the truck driver, tragically lost his life in the accident.
The arrest warrant alleges that Collins failed to move his disabled vehicle to a safe location, thereby creating a traffic hazard. However, Collins’ lawyer, Anthony C. Basilica, denied the allegations, stating that his client’s car was unable to move into the shoulder. Basilica further mentioned that Collins had recently purchased new tires and was on a test drive when the tire shredded on the bridge.
The crash resulted in the closure of the southbound side of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge for several hours, causing significant traffic disruptions. The bridge, which spans the Thames River, is Connecticut’s largest passenger and truck bridge, measuring 6,000 feet in length. The accident also led to the spillage of approximately 2,200 gallons of home heating oil, some of which entered the river.
Collins, a resident of New London, was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to charges of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, improper parking, failure to register his vehicle, and illegally operating a vehicle without proper insurance coverage. He was released with a promise to return to court on June 4.
Basilica mentioned that Collins is still suffering from injuries sustained in the crash, including neck and back pain, as well as post-traumatic stress. Additionally, Collins is considering legal action against the tire store and Fauquet’s estate.
The fire caused damage to protective fencing and the roadway but did not affect the bridge’s structure. Videos from the scene depicted flames and smoke engulfing a significant portion of the bridge, extending to the Groton side.
1 Response
It is truly tragic to hear about incidents like the fiery crash on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. While it is important for individuals like Reginald Collins to be held accountable for their actions, it is equally important to address the underlying issue of road safety.
One unique solution to prevent such accidents is the implementation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in vehicles. ADAS technologies, such as lane departure warning systems, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, can significantly reduce the risk of accidents