Crime & Safety

Fire Log: Cyclist Doored, Utility Pole Ablaze

Darien's fire departments responded to six motor vehicle accidents between Monday, May 17 and Sunday, May 23.

The following information was provided by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Darien Police Department:

Tuesday, May 18

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: Around 6:53 p.m., the Darien Fire Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 at exit 11.

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UTILITY POLE ABLAZE: Noroton Heights Fire responded to the scene of a burning utility pole at 2 Lake Drive around 9:35 p.m. Fire officials said the source of the blaze was a set of wires on fire, the initial cause of which was not known.

Wednesday, May 19

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SMOKE SCARE: A report of smoke brought Noroton Heights Fire to a residence at 74 Camp Ave. around 11:11 a.m. The source was determined to be a malfunctioning oil burner.

Thursday, May 20

MEDICAL ASSIST: Noroton Heights Fire was called to 65 Bridle Trail around 1:20 p.m. to assist EMS responders with a lift.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/INJURY: The Darien Fire Department responded to an accident at the intersection of Cliff Avenue and Tokeneke Road around 4:35 p.m. According to a police report, Mathew Beery, 24, of Darien was traveling eastbound on Tokeneke Road when he rear-ended a car attempting to make a left onto Cliff.

Beery, who was driving a 2004 Subaru, told police that he failed to notice the 1998 Dodge stopped in front of him because he had been "waving" to a friend traveling westbound on Tokeneke. Though he attempted to stop, he was unable to, striking the Dodge. Beery was issued an infraction for section 14-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes ("No driver of a motor vehicle shall follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable...").

The driver and passenger of the Dodge both complained of head and neck pain as a result of the accident. They were treated on the scene by Post 53 and Post 54 and transported to Norwalk Hospital.

Friday, May 21

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: Around 4:48 p.m., the Darien Fire Department and Noroton Heights Fire responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 between exits 10 and 11.

Saturday, May 22

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: The Noroton Fire Department responded to the scene of an accident at Post Road and Noroton Ave. around 9:58 a.m. According to a police report, Manuel Chillogalli, 40, of Port Chester, N.Y. was attempting to make a left turn onto Noroton from Post when he struck a vehicle traveling the opposite direction.

Chillogalli, who was driving a 1998 Mazda, told police he thought the intersection had been clear and was unsure where the 2008 Audi had come from. The second driver told police he had been traveling westbound on Post through a green light when Chillogalli's vehicle suddenly struck him. A witness corroborated that account.

Chillogalli was charged with making an improper turn and failure to drive with a license. According to the report, he told police he had never obtained a valid driver's license.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/FUEL SPILL: Around 4:58 p.m., the Darien Fire Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident and fuel spill at the I-95 north service area.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/INJURY: The Darien Fire Department responded to the scene of an accident near 1013 Post Road around 8:52 p.m. According to a police report, a cyclist was traveling westbound on Post when the driver's side door of a car parked on the right side of the street opened. Unable to avoid the door, the cyclist struck it and was thrown from his bike, landing in the roadway.

The driver of the vehicle, a 2006 BMW, told police he was exiting his vehicle to meet his family across the street and that he had not seen any vehicles in his rearview mirror before opening the door. The cyclist said the driver had opened the door quickly, not allowing him time to avoid it. 

The cyclist complained of back pain and was transported to Stamford Hospital by Post 53. According to the report, he was wearing a helmet at the time and operating a bicycle judged to be in good working order.


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