A 68-year-old New Havener named Damaso Rosario Luna was struck and killed by a car on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard Saturday night, marking just the latest pedestrian fatality on one of the city’s most dangerous roads for walkers.
New Haven police spokesperson Officer Scott Shumway sent out an email press release about Luna’s death on Sunday afternoon.
Shumway wrote that at around 9:52 p.m. Saturday, city police received a call about a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian being struck on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard at Plymouth Street.
Responding officers found Luna “unresponsive in the roadway.” City firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene.
“The New Haven Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and are leading the investigation,” Shumway continued. “Initial findings suggest that the victim was crossing Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, heading North from Plymouth Street, when he was struck by an unknown motor vehicle. The offending vehicle fled the scene.”
Police ask that any witnesses who have not yet spoken with the Police contact the New Haven Police Department Communications Division at 203 – 946-6316. Callers may remain anonymous or submit tips anonymously by calling 1 – 866-888-TIPS(8477), or text “NHPD plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES).
Click here to read a previous Independent article about a particularly deadly stretch further up Ella T. Grasso Boulevard that saw four pedestrian deaths occur in a single year.