Victim Identified In Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash In New Britain

NEW BRITAIN, CT — The jogger who was struck and killed by the teen driver of a stolen vehicle has been identified as Henry Gudelski, 53, of New Britain, according to WTNH News 8.

Gudelski was jogging on the sidewalk in the area of East Street and Belden Street around 7 p.m. on Tuesday when he was struck by the driver of an Audi that had been stolen out of Hartford, according to New Britain police Chief Christopher Chute.

Chute said Gudelski was critically injured and later died at a nearby hospital.

The occupants of the stolen vehicle ran away from the scene, and the 17-year-old driver was found the next day hiding in a closet at his home and arrested, according to Chute.

Chute noted that the teen is a repeat juvenile offender with 13 previous arrests.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart called the tragedy a "complete failure" of the Connecticut juvenile justice system.

State Republican lawmakers announced Wednesday that they are calling for "immediate action on the juvenile crime crisis affecting communities throughout Connecticut."

See also: Jogger Struck, Killed By Teen Driver Of Stolen Vehicle: Police

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support Gudelski’s family with funeral expenses.

“Henryk was especially known among the Polish community in Connecticut,” reads a post on the GoFundMe page, which was organized by Ewa Katarzyna Regulska. “He was a great Pole, proud patriot and devoted Catholic. Henryk, together with Alina, raised their 3 youngest children from their previous relationships. Henryk was hard working and a devoted family man who lost his life in a heartbreaking way. He leaves 2 of his own and 4 of Alina’s children behind.

“As a friend of the family, I am asking for help with the burdens associated with the cost of the funeral. I would especially ask that the Polish communities in Chicago and New Britain share this information with their friends and family who might have known Henryk and would like to say a prayer for the family.”

The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $2,000 as of Thursday night.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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