News

2/9/2024 - NEWS RELEASE: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation 02.09.2024

 

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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