Manchester Man Charged In Fatal Crash At Vernon Rail Trail Crossing

VERNON, CT — A Manchester man has been charged in connection with a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in Vernon where the rail trail system crosses a road, police said.

Vernon police released details of the case Tuesday.

The investigation began when Vernon police responded to a collision between a motor vehicle and two pedestrians crash in the area of 205 Warren Avenue on June 12, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. That is where the Rockville Spur section of the Vernon Rails-to-Trails system crosses over Warren Avenue.

When they arrived at the scene, Vernon Police located an "adult female" pedestrian and an "adult male" pedestrian lying in Warren Avenue.

Vernon EMS and a Vernon Fire Department crew responded to the scene to provide medical treatment and both pedestrians were transported to Hartford Hospital.

The woman later died from injuries sustained in the crash and has been identified
as Anna Krocheski, 81, of Tolland.

The man, identified as Joseph Krocheski, 83, of Tolland sustained serious injuries, police said.

Police also located a 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan facing east in the middle of Warren Avenue that was involved in the crash. The driver, Stephen Lewis, 34, of Manchester, was not injured and was cooperating with the investigation.

On Nov. 27, Vernon police arrested Lewis and charged him with second-degree assault, misconduct with a motor vehicle, distracted driving and failure to exercise reasonable care when near a vulnerable user on a public way.

Lewis was initially held on a $75,000 bond and appeared in Rockville Superior Court on
Nov. 27. That was knocked down to $50,000 at the arraignment and Lewis is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 7 after posting the bond, records show.