A 19-year-old University of Connecticut student was killed on Monday in a tragic pedestrian accident on campus. School officials say the 19-year-old student was hit and killed by a campus fire vehicle early Sunday morning. Investigators said the students was sitting on the ground, leaning against the bay doors of the UConn's fire department. A 60-year-old firefighter responded to a call, opened the doors and exited the department. The student fell backward and was run over by the exiting SUV.
The medical examiner confirmed that the student died from blunt force injuries consistent with being run over. Her toxicology report is not public record. The firefighter was placed in an administrative role during the investigation. Investigators are still trying to make sense of several factors in the accident, such as why was the student at the fire department, why she didn't hear the doors open and why her body wasn’t discovered until later that night. Friends say the student was with them earlier in the evening.
The student was a West Hartford native who graduated from Hall High School in 2015. She was at the University studying to become a nurse practitioner and had pledged with the Delta Gamma Sorority. The University of Connecticut said they are in complete cooperation with police and are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a student.
If you believe the death of your child was caused by negligence or willful misconduct, you may be able to seek compensation with a wrongful death claim. Contact a skilled and trusted attorney to handle your complex case at Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC.