Distracted Driver Hits 12 Year Old Darien Middle School Student

Motor Vehicle Collision-Vehicle vs. Pedestrian on May 2 ib Post Road near Outlook Drive in Darien

At approximately 4:10 PM on May 2^nd, 2017, Darien Police Department officers responded to the Post Road near Outlook Drive on the report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.

The investigation revealed that a 12 year old Darien female middle school student had exited a full size school bus, which had stopped in the right lane facing eastbound on the Post Road (US1) to discharge student passengers.  The bus was fully stopped with its external stop sign deployed and red lights flashing.  The student, attempting to cross the Post Road in a northerly direction, was struck by the passenger side mirror of a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck traveling eastbound on the Post Road in the left lane.  The student was transported to an area hospital for evaluation and it appeared that her injuries, thankfully, consisted only of scrapes and bruises.

The operator of the vehicle, Gary Hartog, age 35, of Rowayton, remained at the scene and was fully cooperative with investigators.   Mr. Hartog stated he had looked down at his phone, which was reportedly on the seat and ringing, and did not see the stopped school bus or the pedestrian. Based on the collision investigation, he was issued an infraction for 14-279(a), Failure to Stop for a School Bus (carrying a $465.00 fine) and 14-296AA(f), Distracted Driving (carrying a $150.00 fine).    

The Darien Police Department remains fully committed to enforcing the Connecticut motor vehicle statutes involving distracted driving and the prohibition against using any type of hand held electronic device while driving.  This incident clearly demonstrates the inherent dangers of distracted driving and the potential consequences for all involved.