Log In


Reset Password
  • MENU
    Police-Fire Reports
    Thursday, April 18, 2024

    Fatal accident in Old Lyme under investigation

    Old Lyme — State police are investigating a car crash in which a pedestrian later died from his injuries.

    At 1:49 a.m. Oct. 30, a Toyota Tundra SR5 driven by Daniel J. Coffee, 35, of Old Lyme was traveling south on Boston Post Road, approaching Sill Lane, when he struck Yeison Gomez Cruz, who was walking on Boston Post Road, according to an accident summary from state police.

    It's unclear if weather played a role, but on the evening of Oct. 29, a windstorm had struck the region, knocking out power to more than 20,000 customers and causing downed trees, transformer explosions and road closures. A coastal flood advisory for southern New London County was in effect until 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30.

    Gomez Cruz, 19, of Westbrook was transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. He died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Nov. 11 — two days before his 20th birthday — from injuries sustained during the crash, according to his obituary. Coffee left the scene and later was located by state police, according to the accident summary.

    State police spokeswoman Kelly Grant said the accident is under investigation and would not comment on whether charges are pending against Coffee.

    Gomez Cruz moved from Guatemala to Westbrook in 2013, and was a senior at Westbrook High School, according to his obituary. He is survived by his parents, Samuel Gomez and Glenda Cruz, both of Westbrook, and by two daughters, Ashley Gomez and Osleidy Anai Gomez of Westbrook.

    Funeral services and burial are expected to take place in El Progreso Guatemala on Saturday.

    Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Troop F at (860) 399-2100, and ask to speak with Trooper Christopher Centi.

    Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.