Driver Crashes Into, Damages World War II Monument In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — The World War II monument on Broad Street in Meriden was damaged when it was struck by a pickup truck on Sunday night, according to officials.

Meriden Police Officer Phillip Lebel was on patrol around 8:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, near the intersection of Broad Street and East Main Street when he arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle rollover accident, according to police.

A 2005 Chevrolet Silverado was found resting on its passenger side against the median barrier (Memorial Boulevard) that separates Broad Street near East Main Street, according to police.

Police said the Silverado had been traveling south on the “rain-soaked” Broad Street when the 29-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and swerved to his left. The driver’s side front tire collided with the curb of the median barrier, according to police.

“The vehicle then proceeded up and over the curb, spun around and flipped over onto its passenger side,” police wrote in a news release. “The Silverado’s passenger side rear end then collided with a free-standing World War II roll of honor monument on the median, which topped over and knocked down another free-standing war monument.”

Police said the driver, who only had a Connecticut learner’s permit, was not injured in the crash. He was the only occupant of the vehicle, according to police.

He was issued an infraction for traveling too fast for conditions and operation with a permit only over the age of 18 without a licensed driver.

The World War I monument, located on the same median, was severely damaged in March 2024 when a pickup truck lost control and crashed into the monument.

Officials said Monday that the World War II monument “may be replaced and reinforced as soon as January.”

To see photos of the damage, visit the City of Meriden’s Facebook page here.

See also: Driver Charged In Crash That Damaged World War I Monument: Meriden PD