Tues., 7 p.m.
The driver allegedly told police he attempted to stop the van and found he had no brakes. He allegedly said he then steered to the right and struck the pedestrian in the back.
Tues., 11:30 a.m.
The driver of the van is 90 years old, police said Tuesday morning. He has not be cited for a motor vehicle violation but police did seize his license.
Both the driver and victim are Norwalk residents.
Original Story
A man walking along East Avenue Monday afternoon was struck by a van that jumped the curb; with the victim becoming completedly trapped beneath it.
Deputy Fire Chief Ed Prescott said firefighters used a bottle jack beneath the van's rear axle to raise it enough to pull the man free. Prescott said he was alive with severe facial injuries.
Police were called to the scene at 1:56 p.m. They found the man beneath the van in front of a dental practice at 55 East Ave., a short distance south of Westport Avenue.
The van, a GMC Safari, was apparently traveling northbound when it swerved onto the curb and struck the pedestrian on the sidewalk. The man's feet stuck out from beneath the van and could be seen moving around.
Prescott said the victim, who appeared to be in his 30's, had severe facial lacerations and was boarded and collared on the possibility he had neck and back injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital.
Prescott said he knew the driver from church and that he's 92 years old. It was not immediately known if he would be charged.
East Avenue was closed been Westport Avenue and St. Paul's Place during the rescue and follow-up police investigation.
Until something like this happens. Speeding is epidemic in our city. Some roads worse then others. High St. Resident Norwalk, CT.
I've covered the department for more than 20 years (I moved to Norwalk in 1976) and don't see the city's crime rate having reached a critical level. It's been said a police department can't post a cop at every corner, but Norwalk police "street teams" give it a good try. I read the department's activity log every day (it's available for the public to read daily in the lobby, as is the log of everyone arrested), and most days crimes involve shoplifting, car break-ins, residential burglaries, and domestic confrontations. While not downplaying the seriousness of these crimes, they don't indicate the city is in a state of anarchy. I invite you and anyone to contact me with comments about crime in Norwalk. H.F.C.