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    Police-Fire Reports
    Sunday, May 19, 2024

    Lisbon firefighter dies in Preston crash

    Preston ― A 39-year-old Lisbon man died on Sunday in a two-vehicle crash on Route 164.

    At 5:08 p.m., state police said a Dodge pickup truck driven by Matthew Babcock of 37 Kimball Road, was traveling north on Route 164. Babcock lost control of the truck while rounding a curve and slid into the southbound lane where it collided with a Toyota Camry driven by Kelsey Shabanowitz, 21, of Griswold.

    Babcock’s truck traveled over the guide rails and came to rest upside down and partially submerged in Broad Brook. Babcock was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Shabanowitz and her teenage passenger were freed from their car by Preston firefighters and taken to Backus Hospital for treatment. State police described their injuries as non-life threatening.

    On Monday, the Lisbon Fire Department announced the death of Babcock, a lieutenant with the fire department. In a Facebook post, the department said Babcock leaves behind a wife and three children.

    It said he was “a dedicated member of the department for the past 12 years, involved in the planning and running of the annual Santa Run, Easter Bunny Parade, fire prevention and parading his love of the department Tanker 154 as well as the new fire station.”

    The department added he was involved in the youth sports leagues and events in the Lisbon Schools and at Griswold High School. Details for his service are forthcoming.

    A Gofundme page has been setup to help support the family at https://gofund.me/7a8d69b6.

    State police said the crash is under investigation. Anyone with information about it is asked to contact state police Trooper Christopher Brett at (860) 848-6500.

    Firefighters from Mashantucket and Norwich also responded to the crash.

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