CT assistant fire chief killed by truck driver while crossing street
Peter Bloomberg, 72, was walking across Church Hill Rd. in Newtown when he was struck and killed.
An assistant fire chief in Connecticut was killed by a truck driver while crossing the street Monday night in Newtown.
Peter Bloomberg, 72, was assistant chief at Botsford Fire Rescue in the town. He was walking across Church Hill Rd. to attend a fire commission meeting when he was struck by a Toyota Tacoma driver, local Fox affiliate WTIC reported.
“We ask for your thoughts and prayers and appreciate the outpouring of support thus far,” Botsford Fire Rescue wrote in a Facebook post. “We offer both our sincerest condolences and gratitude to the Blomberg family in this tragic time.”
Cops said the Tacoma driver, who was not publicly identified, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to ABC affiliate WTNH.
Bloomberg’s death came hours after another firefighter in the state, Robert E. Sharkevich of Wethersford, was honored with a funeral after he was killed fighting a brush fire in Berlin.
“It’s unimaginable to comprehend that less than 8 hours of laying FF Sharkevich to rest, the CT Fire Service has suffered another tragic loss,” the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association said in a Facebook post. “Please keep the Blomberg family and the Newtown area emergency services in your thoughts.”
Business owners in the area said cars often travel very fast on Church Hill Rd. near its intersection with Dayton St., where Bloomberg was walking, NBC affiliate WVIT reported. The area is home to several shops on the road.
“Newtown and all of its volunteer fire stations and members mourn this horrible loss,” local state senator Tony Hwang said. “We pray for the Blomberg family and offer condolences to all who serve at Botsford Fire Rescue and all first responders who put their lives at risk to protect our community.”
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