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A violent high-speed crash in Norwalk on Sunday evening sent three people to the hospital after two passengers were thrown from the vehicle and the driver had to be freed by firefighters using hydraulic tools.
The incident unfolded shortly before 5:10 p.m. on April 6, 2025, in the area of Connecticut Avenue and Elmcrest Terrace. According to the City of Norwalk Fire Department, a northbound SUV struck a guardrail at a “high rate of speed.” The impact sent the vehicle skidding about 100 feet before it came to a stop.
Firefighters arriving on scene found a chaotic scene. Two male passengers had been ejected during the collision, landing in thick brush on the far side of the guardrail and a chain-link fence. Emergency crews, along with Connecticut State Police and Norwalk police officers, searched the overgrown area and located both victims. Officials said the men were not moving and were given CPR at the scene before being rushed to a nearby hospital.
The driver, a woman, remained trapped inside the crumpled SUV. Fire crews used hydraulic spreaders and cutters to extricate her from the wreckage. She was stabilized on scene and transported by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital. As of late Sunday evening, the fire department had not released the conditions of the three victims.
A fourth occupant, also a woman, was found walking outside the vehicle when first responders arrived. She reported no injuries and declined medical transport, according to fire officials.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Norwalk police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact the department’s traffic unit.
High-speed collisions with ejections are among the deadliest types of crashes. Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that occupants ejected from a vehicle are roughly four times more likely to be fatally injured than those who remain inside. In this incident, the two ejected passengers were fortunate to survive, but their conditions remain critical.
“The fact that both ejected victims were found alive and received CPR is remarkable, but it underscores the importance of seatbelt use,” said a spokesperson for the Norwalk Fire Department. “Ejection is almost always preventable.”
Connecticut has seen a rise in high-speed crashes in recent years. According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, speed-related crashes accounted for nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities in the state in 2023. Local road safety advocates have called for increased enforcement on Connecticut Avenue, a stretch known for frequent speeding.
The SUV involved in the crash was a late-model Chevrolet Tahoe. It sustained severe front-end damage, and the guardrail it struck was bent and twisted for several feet.
Investigators are examining whether alcohol or drugs played a role, and whether all occupants were wearing seatbelts. Toxicology results are pending. The road remained closed for several hours as police reconstructed the crash scene.
The Norwalk Fire Department reminded the public that even on familiar roads, excessive speed can turn a routine drive into a tragedy. “We urge everyone to slow down, buckle up, and never drive impaired,” the spokesperson added.
As of Monday morning, the hospital had not released updates on the victims’ conditions. The investigation is expected to continue for several days, with charges possibly pending.
This incident marks the third serious crash on Connecticut Avenue in the past six months, raising concerns among residents about traffic safety in the area. Local officials are expected to discuss potential safety measures, including additional signage and speed bumps, at the next city council meeting.
