May 2012

Vehicle Crash Into Woods
On May 6, 2012 at approximately 0138 hours the Ledyard Police Department received the report of a vehicle crash into the woods off Rose Hill Road. The Ledyard Police Department, Ledyard Fire Department, Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad, Gales Ferry Fire Department, Preston and Poquetanuck Fire Departments, American Ambulance Paramedic, and Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Paramedics responded.

Responders found a Mitsubushi Lancer in the wooded area adjacent to the roadway and that 2 of the vehicle's passengers had sustained injuries and required extrication from the vehicle.The injuries to 1 of the passengers were serious and the Lifestar helicopter was requested, but was unable to fly due to weather.

The vehicle operator, Toni Murallo (08/30/60) of 9 Crandell Hill Road in Montville was uninjured as a result of the crash. The passengers, Cory Hutzler (05/11/84) of 2 Highland Street in Taftville and Jarrod Fletcher (10/25/83) of 683 Middlebridge Road in South Kingstown, Rhode Island were transported by ambulance to the WW Backus Hospital in Norwich.

The cause of this crash remains under investigation by the Ledyard Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team.

Vehicle Roll Over
On May 7, 2012 at approximately 2057 hours the Ledyard Police Department received the report of a 1 vehicle roll over crash on Center Groton Road (Route 117) near Colonel Ledyard Highway. The Ledyard Police Department, Ledyard Fire Department, Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad, and Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Paramedic responded.On the arrival of responders a 1993 Ford Escort was found to have rolled over after striking a utility pole. The vehicle operator, Winter Riffle DOB 04/06/1995 of 1920 Center Groton RD Ledyard and passenger, Tammy Avery DOB 06/03/1988, were both transported to the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The accident resulted in Route 117 being closed for a short period of time while the accident was cleared. Investigation of the accident resulted in the operator being cited for traveling too fast for conditions.

Domestic Incident
On May 18, 2012 at 2216 hours the Ledyard Police Department responded to a residence on Highland Drive for the report of a domestic violence related incident. On their arrival Officers learned that the offending party had fled the residence.

A short time later Officers located the offender, inside of his vehicle, in the parking lot of the Highland Lake on Shewville Road. Officers approached the vehicle and observed that the individual was doing harm to himself with an edged weapon. After the individual refused to comply with verbal commands, a Taser was deployed, allowing Officers to take him into custody. He was transported to the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries and released back to Police.

The individual, Steven Deluca DOB 05-14-1960 of 35 Highland Drive in Ledyard was charged with Violation of a restraining order, Assault 3rd Degree, Interfering with an Officer, Threatening, and Criminal Trespass. He is being held on $25,000 bond awaiting arraignment at GA 10 in New London.