Guilford Man Killed In Crash On I-95 In Branford: State Police

BRANFORD, CT — Peter Botarelli, 77, of Guilford, was killed when his vehicle was involved in a crash on Interstate 95 in Branford, state police said.

At 10:04 a.m. Tuesday, state police responded to a one-car motor vehicle collision which occurred on I-95 South, south of exit 55 in Branford.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that (a 2009 Nissan Xterra) was traveling on I-95 South in the right lane of two. For an unknown reason, (Botarelli) lost control of Vehicle #1 resulting in Vehicle #1 veering off the roadway into the right shoulder," state police said in a news release.

"When Vehicle #1 exited the roadway, it struck a traffic control sign and roadside rock wall," state police said. "The collision sequence caused Vehicle #1 to roll over and Operator #1 was subsequently ejected."

Botarelli was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital by EMS where he was pronounced deceased, state police said.

The State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad (CARS) responded to the scene to assist with scene processing. The highway was closed in the area for approximately three hours.

The case remains under investigation. Any witnesses to the collision are requested to contact Trooper Ronald Bouzy #1152 via email at Ronald.Bouzy@ct.gov.

BRANFORD, CT — An overturned motor vehicle accident closed I-95 south between exits 55 and 54 in Branford Tuesday morning.

The crash was reported at 10:05 a.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

According to Branford Fire Department Chief Thomas Mahoney, the crash was a "one car rollover with ejection." One person suffered life-threatening injuries, Mahoney said, and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital.

This post will be updated as new information is received.

Patch Editor Ellyn Santiago contributed reporting.