Retired UConn Fire Captain Injured In Head-On Crash

SCOTLAND, CT — A retired University of Connecticut Fire Department Captain who was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing in a fatal accident involving a student slumped in front of a truck bay, was injured in a head-on collision with a suspected drunken driver on Tuesday evening, state police said.

The crash took place at 7:44 p.m. on state Route 14, known locally as Huntington Road, according to a state police crash report distributed Tuesday night.

The retired captain, 63-year-old Dana Barrow Jr., is from Scotland and was heading east in his 2007 Chevrolet Impala along the 500 block of the road, according to a report. A 2012 Honda Pilot driven by Melissa M. Carducci-Brooks, 40, of Coventry, suddenly veered in front of Barrow's car from the opposite lane, according to a report.

Barrow applied the brakes in an effort to avoid a collision but the vehicles hit head-in, according to a report.

Both had to be cut out of their vehicles, state police said. Barrow was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and was listed in critical condition Tuesday night. Carducci-Brooks was taken to Backus Hospital via ambulance with suspected minor injuries, according to a report.

According to a report, state police charged Carducci-Brooks with driving under the influence and failure to carry minimum insurance and she is due in court on June 2.

Barrow was involved in a fatal accident involving a 19-year-old student while working as a shift commander at the UConn Fire Departmrent on Oct. 16, 2016. According to various law enforcement and school reports, the student had been walking on campus at about 1 a.m. and wound up against a garage door, unconscious and below door safety sensors.

A call came in shortly after, that at first was described as a dorm fire, but turned out to be students setting off an alarm while playing with fire extinguishers, reports indicate. Barrow did not see the student while leaving the garage in a utility vehicle, which ran over her. Barrow thought he had run over an equipment bag, which was often left on the floor, reports indicate.

Barrow was never criminally charged in the case, but six fraternity members were, though they eventually were given a special probation by the court.

A judge dismissed civil allegations against Barrow in a lawsuit that also named the state and the fraternity — where the underage student drank alcohol in the hours before falling against the fire department garage, records indicate. Reports put her blood alcohol level at three times beyond the legal level of intoxication.

The lawsuit was settled for about $1 million and withdrawn two weeks ago, an Associated Press report indicates.

Barrow retired in the spring of 2017 after 27 years of service.

UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said UConn has released the following statement:

"Out of respect for Capt. Barrow and his family, and recognizing that the other driver faces a legal process ahead, UConn won’t be commenting on the collision itself. Dana has dedicated himself personally and professionally to public service throughout his life, and is widely known for his huge heart and his kindness, sincerity and work ethic. His UConn family joins his many other friends and family throughout eastern Connecticut in wishing him a full and speedy recovery."