More details emerge after a University of Connecticut student was run over in a tragic campus accident, but police still need more answers. According to authorities, the female student died after she was struck by a university fire department vehicle. Police say the 19-year-old girl’s body was found by fire department personnel an hour and a half after she was hit.
Police believe the girl was sitting on the ground with her back against a garage bay door at the Public Safety Complex located at 126 North Eagleville Road in the UConn Campus. The fire department received a call requesting help around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday. According to police, firefighters open the bay door, and the student fell back onto the ground, and a fire department's Chevy Tahoe ran over her as it was leaving the bay.
Authorities say the girl’s body was not discovered until 2:48 a.m. when the SUV returned from the call and contact police. School officials say the shift commander who was driving the vehicle has been reassigned to an administrative position. The 60-year-old man will not respond to calls while the incident is being investigated.
According to a University spokesperson, the UConn family is assisting state police in their investigation. A vigil for the student will be held on campus at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Fairfield Way. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or has knowledge of student’s activities prior to the accident to please call the station.
Grieving families struggling with the aftermath of a tragic accident can find legal support at the St. Louis law firm of Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC. Contact us today.