16-04-2025
83-year-old charged in death of pedestrian in West Hartford last year
The video above aired on November 11, 2024.
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — West Hartford police say they've arrested an 83-year-old driver who allegedly fled the scene after striking a pedestrian last year. The pedestrian later succumbed to their injuries.
Sue Deffenbaugh, 83, was arrested by warrant on Tuesday. She was charged with evading responsibility resulting in death and failure to exercise reasonable care near a vulnerable user on a public way.
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The charges stem from a collision on Nov. 9 at the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and St. James Street.
Police said a vehicle struck an elderly woman crossing in the area of an uncontrolled crosswalk. After the impact, they believe she was struck again by a second vehicle.
The first vehicle remained on scene, and the driver cooperated with police, but the second driver fled the scene. Police said they've determined Deffenbaugh was that driver.
The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and later died at a local hospital. She was identified as Patricia Brulotte, a real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services for 20 years.
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At the time of her death, colleagues described 'Patty' as hard-working and soft-spoken and said she never had a bad word to say about anyone.
This death happened as the town had been working to prevent deaths and serious injuries on roads in its Vision Zero initiative. The intersection where the collision occurred was already a concern for town engineers.
Deffenbaugh's warrant included a $400,000 court-set bond and a stipulation that she not operate a motor vehicle.
She was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 24.
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