By Justin Muszynski
Hartford Courant
NEWTOWN, Conn. — A fire official was struck and killed during a crash in Newtown on Monday night.
The crash was reported around 6:15 p.m. on Route 6 in the area of Dayton Street where emergency crews responded on the report of an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to the Newtown Police Department.
The pedestrian was transported to Danbury Hospital for injuries suffered in the accident and was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. According to police, the crash involved a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was headed east on Route 6 when it struck a pedestrian crossing the road toward the westbound shoulder.
The pedestrian involved was identified as Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Peter Blomberg, according to the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and Botsford Fire Rescue. According to the association, Blomberg was crossing the street to attend a fire commission meeting when he was hit.
Blomberg’s death comes on the heels of 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich Sr ., a Wethersfield volunteer firefighter, being laid to rest on Monday during a service in Hartford that was attended by hundreds. Sharkevich was killed last week when the UTV he was riding in rolled over and injured three other firefighters as crews were responding to the wildfire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the fire chiefs association described it as “unimaginable to comprehend” that Blomberg could be killed in a crash less than eight hours after Sharkevich was laid to rest.
“Please keep the Blomberg family and the Newtown area emergency services in your thoughts,” the association wrote.
“We ask for your thoughts and prayers and appreciate the outpouring of support thus far,” Botsford Fire Rescue wrote in a statement. “We offer both our sincerest condolences and gratitude to the Blomberg family in this tragic time.”
Sen. Tony Hwang, who represents Newtown and is ranking senator on the Transportation Committee, said Blomberg’s death is “devastating and tragic news.”
“Newtown and all of its volunteer fire stations and members mourns this horrible loss,” Hwang said in an email. “We pray for the Blomberg family and offer condolences to all who serve at Botsford Fire Rescue and all first responders who put their lives at risk to protect our community.”
The crash remains under investigation.
Any witnesses have been asked to contact Det. Chelsea Harold at 203-426-5841.
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