Popular Wild Turkey Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Last week, just before Thanksgiving, a turkey died in Fairfield, but not how you might think.

The bird, nicknamed Karl or Arturo, was struck and killed on Nov. 26 by a hit-and-run driver in the parking lot of Enzo's Pizza and Deli on Kings Highway Cutoff, according to the owners of the nearby Ganim's Garden Center and Florist.

"To the person who hit him this morning in Enzo's parking lot around 8am, we do have video footage," a post on Facebook reads (click here to view a photo). "We wish you had stopped after you hit him, he didn't deserve to be your target. Karma will find you. Happy Thanksgiving."

Karl/Arturo had become a fixture in the area, and was even fed by the crew at Enzo's, the Connecticut Post reported.

His death has sparked a debate on Facebook, with some commenters mourning his loss, and others saying he was a wild animal and such accidents, unfortunately, can happen.

Whoever hit him, however, is not looking at the possibility of charges, according to Fairfield Police Sgt. Michael Stahl.

To Stahl's knowledge, a police report has not been filed.

"In Connecticut, drivers are not legally obligated to stop or report collisions with wildlife, including turkeys," Stahl said in an email to Patch.

On the contrary, there are rules if a dog is hit by a vehicle.

"However, if a driver strikes a dog, they are required by law to stop, assist, and inform the dog’s owner or a police officer," Stahl said. "This obligation applies regardless of whether the incident occurs on a public road or in a parking lot. For wildlife, there is no legal requirement to report such incidents in either location."