Derby Man Killed After Car Rolls Down Embankment

BEACON FALLS, CT — A Derby man was killed Monday afternoon after police said he lost control of his vehicle on Route 8 in Beacon Falls, veered off the road and plunged into railroad tracks.

Jonathan Vazquez, 24, of Lafayette Street, was driving a 2017 Honda Accord northbound about a mile north of Exit 23 when the crash happened, police said. His vehicle crossed into the grass shoulder, where it struck and went over the guardrail, police said. The car plunged down an embankment, crossed both lanes of Cold Spring Road, and continued down a second embankment, police said. After falling more than 50 feet, the car hit railroad tracks and landed on its roof, police and fire officials said.

Vazquez was thrown from the car and taken to Waterbury Hospital, where he died.

The crash was reported by a man who was fishing in the Naugatuck River, officials said. The crash happened by a bridge that carries Route 8 north over the river.

Rail transportation was halted until 6 p.m. Monday. Route 8 North was closed near the start of the bridge and traffic was rerouted through downtown Beacon Falls near Exit 23.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Connecticut State Police at 203-393-4200.