Date: February
9, 2024
Re: Fatal
Motor Vehicle Accident
Issued by: Captain Jeremiah P. Marron Jr.
For
Immediate Release
Darien,
CT – At approximately 12:00am on February 9, 2024, the Darien Police
Department received a report that a late model Nissan Rogue traveling eastbound
on Tokeneke Rd (Rt. 136), crossed into westbound lane, left the roadway near the
Rowayton Town line, struck fencing, and then plummeted into the Five Mile River
where it meets the Long Island Sound. Numerous Darien officers quickly
responded to the location and found the vehicle almost fully submerged in the
near freezing water.
At the time
of the incident, debris from the crash could
be seen floating out toward Long Island Sound in an outgoing tide.
Officers quickly located a victim floating face down in the outgoing current
approximately 100 yards from the accident scene. Two Darien officers then
jumped into the water and brought the unresponsive victim to a nearby private
dock and immediately initiated lifesaving resuscitation efforts. Darien
Fire Department and Darien EMS then arrived on scene.
Members of
the Darien Fire Department, equipped with cold water gear, entered the water
and began searching for additional victims. Shortly after the search was
initiated, Fire Department personnel recovered a second victim from the
submerged vehicle. The victim was quickly turned over to EMS personnel
for treatment and then transported to an area hospital. Unfortunately, the victim was later pronounced deceased at the
hospital. The medical condition of the
first victim located is unknown at this
time.
During the
rescue effort, it was initially undetermined
if additional victims were unaccounted
for. Over the next several hours,
numerous mutual aid agencies assisted in the rescue effort. Several
marine vessels, air assets, and SCUBA divers were deployed. At this time,
there is no indication that there are any additional victims nor any indication
that any other vehicle was involved in this collision. The Darien Police
Department would like to extend our appreciation to the following agencies who
assisted in this incident: The Darien, Noroton, & Noroton Heights Fire
Departments, Darien EMS Post 53, Norwalk Police Department, Norwalk Fire
Department, Stamford Fire Department, Fairfield Fire Department Technical
Rescue, Sound Beach Fire Department Technical Rescue, The United States Coast
Guard, and East Coast Towing.
The two
Darien police officers who entered the near freezing water to rescue the first
victim are currently being treated for injuries and exposure at area hospitals.
Fortunately, their injuries do not appear to be life threatening at this time. This incident remains under active
investigation and no further information is being released at this time.
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