Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Meriden man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while he was crossing a busy road Wednesday afternoon in Wallingford, according to police. The accident occurred on Yale Avenue at its intersection with Old Yale Avenue around 3:35 p.m., according to Lt. Anthony DeMaio.

The victim has been identified as Leonard B. James, 66, of Meriden, according to DeMaio. He died from his injuries at the scene.

Investigators found that the driver of a gray 2017 Subaru Forester was traveling west on Yale Avenue when he struck James, who was within the westbound travel lane along a “well-traveled, flat and straight portion of the roadway,” according to DeMaio. Police didn't indicate if the driver would face charges for the accident.

Before the incident, James was traveling eastbound on Yale Avenue in a 2019 GMC Terrain. James pulled his vehicle off to the right-hand side of the roadway and parked, according to DeMaio.

DeMaio said James then left his vehicle and crossed over to the north side of Yale Avenue where he was seen “picking up an object, likely a bottle for redemption, off the ground.” James was then struck by the Forester while attempting to cross back over the busy roadway to return to his parked vehicle, according to DeMaio.

The heavily traveled section of the roadway was closed for several hours so the Wallingford Police Department Traffic Division could reconstruct the collision, DeMaio said.

Any witnesses are asked to call Officer James Knowlton at 203-294-2818 or Lt. Anthony DeMaio at 203-294-2838.