Friends and loved ones are mourning the death of a man who was killed when the car he was driving crossed a center line on a suburban road and hit two other vehicles, including one head on, according to police.
The Orange Police Department responded to the three-car crash just after 5 p.m. Tuesday on Grassy Hill Road near the intersection with Hilltop Road. The area is one of homes on large lots and not far from a housing development and historic farm. Grassy Hill Road tends to be busy as it connects Orange to Milford, and also is connected to Route 15 and Route 34.
The operator of the 2008 Nissan Sentra, Daniel Ronan, 51, of West Haven, succumbed to his injuries later in the evening, police said. Friends, loved ones and even those simply wishing his family well at a difficult time, shared condolences on social media.
“Today we honored our brother Ironworker Daniel Ronan from Local #424 who sadly lost his life yesterday on his way home from work building America he was one of the good ones with a wonderful heart,” one person tenderly wrote, adding hopes that Ronan will rest in peace. “…thank you to all who made this tribute possible and paying your respects you’re a stellar example of what our union brotherhood is supposed to be.”
Police said the Initial investigation revealed that a 2008 Nissan Sentra was southbound on Grassy Hill Road when, “for an unknown reason, it crossed the center line into the northbound lane.”
The Nissan “sideswiped one northbound car before crashing into the front of a third vehicle,” police said.
Three drivers were taken to area hospitals for injuries sustained in the crash; the injuries to the other two drivers were not life-threatening, police said.
The OPD Reconstruction Team is investigating this incident. Any witnesses or anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Denny Peterson at [email protected] or call 203-891-2130, ext. 8216.