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Connecticut woman to receive psych evaluation after hit and run

A 42-year-old female former state corrections officer who is facing charges in a hit and run accident that killed a 51-year-old mother and injured her 11-year-old son, will undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether she is competent enough to stand trial for their deaths. The Superior Court justice overseeing the case ordered the examination to take place after the woman’s attorney informed the court that there was a possibility that her client was suffering from a psychiatric issue.

The charges against the woman stemmed from an incident that occurred on Dec. 4, 2014, when the woman allegedly struck the mother’s older model Subaru with her BMW SUV as they traveled along on Boston Avenue. A surveillance camera from a nearby building reportedly caught the accident while it was recording. According to court documents, the recording allegedly shows the white SUV as it rams into the mother’s car and then shows it hitting the Subaru again before pushing the vehicle into a tree.

The 51-year-old mother died at the scene. Her son was transported to a hospital where he was treated for severe injuries. The woman allegedly left the scene of the accident in the SUV and later checked herself in as a psychiatric patient at St. Vincent’s Medical Center on the same day. Upon questioning by police, the woman allegedly stated that she wasn’t involved in the accident, but was not doing well and was having mental difficulties due to her upcoming wedding. A later discussion with the woman’s intended fiance revealed that the couple was not engaged and there was no planned wedding.

Individuals who have lost a loved one due to a hit and run may be entitled to compensation for their loss and may find it beneficial to learn more about their legal rights as they may pertain to their case.

Source: Connecticut News, “Hit and run former CO gets competency exam,” Daniel Tepfer, June 24, 2015

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