Overnight, Speeding Driver Crashes Into Town Hall, Seriously Hurt: FD

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — Overnight, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into North Branford Town Hall, officials reported.

The North Branford Fire Department posted to Facebook that it was just after 1:45 a.m., when police notified the North Branford Communications Center that a vehicle was involved in a high-speed collision into the building at 909 Foxon Road.

According to Chief of Police James Lovelace, within seconds of an emergency call reporting a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Foxon Road (Route 80) and Forest Road (Route 22), a North Branford Police officer observed a vehicle that had collided with the North Branford Town Hall.

Lovelace said the sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, sustained life-threatening injuries. His identity will be released at a later time. Due to the severity of the crash and extensive damage to the vehicle, the North Branford Fire Department was immediately dispatched to the scene.

North Branford fire Rescue 1 and Engine 1 were on the scene in about six minutes. It took firefighters around 10 minutes to extricate the victim, officials said.

"We extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated volunteer firefighters, whose extraordinary efforts facilitated the extrication of the operator, the administration of advanced medical care, and his prompt transport to Yale New Haven Hospital," Lovelace said.

The police chief said preliminary assessments indicate that the vehicle caused minor structural damage to the Town Hall. As of this release, the building remains open, and all town services are fully operational.

This incident remains under active investigation in collaboration with the South Central Regional Accident Reconstruction Team.

"Our thoughts are with the operator, his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," Lovelace said. "We also commend the swift and decisive actions of our officers and 911 communication center personnel for their professionalism and dedication to public safety."