1 Killed, 2 Injured In Head-On Crash In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — One person was killed and two others were seriously injured after a head-on crash Sunday afternoon in Wallingford, according to Connecticut State Police.

The crash happened around 3:50 p.m. on South Turnpike Road near the intersection of Mansion Road.

Police said troopers were following a 2023 Cadillac Escalade and trying to stop it. The Escalade had been involved in “multiple reports of erratic operation through multiple towns,” according to police.

The Escalade, which was being driven by Jonathan Garcia, was traveling southbound on South Turnpike Road, south of the intersection of Mansion Road in Wallingford, according to police.

“While attempting to negotiate a right curve in the roadway, the Cadillac Escalade crossed over the double yellow centerline and entered into the opposing northbound lane,” police wrote in a news release.

A 33-year-old New Haven man was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado that was traveling northbound on South Turnpike Road, police said.

“While traveling southbound within the northbound lane, the left portion of the Cadillac Escalade's front end collided into the left portion of the Chevrolet Silverado's front end, resulting in an offset head-on collision,” police wrote. “Following impact, the Chevrolet Silverado came to final rest partially within the northbound roadside and the northbound lane. The Cadillac Escalade came to final rest within the northbound lane and southbound lane.”

Police said Garcia sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital. The Silverado’s driver and passenger, a 52-year-old New Haven woman, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police.

Garcia, 42, of Wallingford, was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police.

The Connecticut State Police - Central District Major Crime Squad and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad is investigating the crash, according to police.