11-02-2025
‘My life was centered around him:' Wife of Killingworth man killed in hit-and-run mourns
KILLINGWORTH, Conn. (WTNH) — A Killingworth man died following a hit-and-run over the weekend.
State police said Vinton Fitzgerald Dawson was helping a truck that had broken down on the side of I-95 when he was hit. The 61-year-old died at the hospital Monday morning.
'My life was centered around him. We lived for each other,' his wife Pauline Dawson said.
Man dies after being struck while helping disabled vehicle on I-95 in Milford
The immeasurable pain of losing her husband of 36 years can be heard in Pauline Dawson's voice.
'We were always together, many sleepless nights on the road helping others, which ultimately took his life doing the same thing. He had a passion for diesel work,' Pauline said.
Vinton and Pauline had just settled in, watching some Friday night TV at their Killingworth home, when his phone rang.
A friend of a friend had a broken-down tractor trailer on the side of I-95 south in Milford and needed help. A near hour drive, but the 61-year-old went without hesitation.
'No matter what time of night they called he was out there,' Pauline said.
A few hours later, their son called Pauline and said there was an accident.
State police said around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, a white Hyundai Genesis entered the right shoulder, hit Vinton and kept driving.
'I raced to Bridgeport Hospital. He was already in surgery. I waited six to seven hours for him to come out,' Pauline said. 'He was almost unrecognizable. I couldn't believe that was my husband, but I stood by his bedside. I talked to him.'
After two six-hour surgeries, she said Vinton was too weak to speak but found another way to communicate with the love of his life.
'He opened his eyes and seemed to look at me and closed them back. His hand was clenching from pain. I put two fingers between his and he seemed to feel it,' Pauline said. 'He was probably telling me goodbye that his strength was running out.'
Vinton went into cardiac arrest and died at the hospital Monday morning, leaving behind his wife, their two sons and daughter.
The couple had plans to travel to Europe this weekend, now Pauline is planning a burial, while police hunt down the driver.
'No conscious, but God is the bigger camera. You can run but you can't hide,' Pauline said.
State Police said the white Hyundai Genesis should have right front damage.
They are asking anyone who may have witnessed this hit and run or has any information to call police at (203) 696-2500 or by email at
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