A 59-year-old Hamden woman has died after a 23-year-old Oxford man drove his Saab directly into her car on Fountain Street.
City police spokesperson Capt. Anthony Duff made that announcement Monday afternoon in an email press release.
He said that the Hamden woman, Charlene Fusaris, died in the hospital on Friday — one day after she suffered severe injuries during a two-vehicle crash on Fountain Street near Pardee Place the day before.
Duff wrote that the collision occurred just before 12:30 p.m. last Thursday. Just before the collision, investigators believe Fusaris was operating a black Pontiac Vibe and traveling eastbound on Fountain Street.
The 23-year-old man from Oxford was driving a red Saab 9 – 2 and traveling westbound on Fountain Street.
Duff wrote that the Saab operator had “previously passed one vehicle on the two lane street when he attempted to pass a second vehicle as it slowed to turn right. The Saab operator crossed the double yellow lines and was traveling in the eastbound lane when he collided head-on with the vehicle operated by Fusaris.”
City police and firefighters responded to the crash scene. The Saab operator sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. Emergency medical responders treated Fusaris at the scene and an ambulance transported her to Yale New Haven Hospital.
Both of the cars sustained heavy damages from the crash, and were towed from the scene.
The motor vehicle accident remains under investigation by the NHPD Accident Reconstruction Team.
Witnesses to the crash who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203 – 946-6316.