Mandie Lassy Obituary, Death: Shelton police identify River Road crash victim as 37-year-old Plymouth woman.
Mandie Lassy Obituary, Death – Shelton police have released the name of the motorist who lost her life in a two‑vehicle collision late Sunday night, confirming that the victim was 37‑year‑old Mandie Lassy, a resident of Plymouth, Connecticut. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Detective Christopher Nugent, Lassy was critically injured in the crash on River Road—better known locally as Route 110—near the intersection with Montgomery Street. Emergency crews responded at approximately 11:10 p.m. and found both vehicles heavily damaged in the roadway.
Paramedics provided initial treatment at the scene before transporting Lassy to Bridgeport Hospital. Despite emergency medical efforts, she was pronounced dead after arrival, marking a tragic outcome to what began as an ordinary drive along the winding stretch of road that traces the Housatonic River. Two additional occupants from the second vehicle were also taken to Bridgeport Hospital; authorities said their injuries, while requiring medical attention, were not life‑threatening.
River Road is a well‑traveled corridor connecting Shelton to several neighboring communities, and although traffic volume drops off late at night, its sharp curves and limited lighting can pose hazards. Residents say that stretches of Route 110, particularly near Montgomery Street, can become challenging after dark. These conditions, combined with Sunday’s rainy weather earlier in the evening, are among the factors investigators are examining as they work to piece together the sequence of events.
Detective Nugent noted that Shelton patrol officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians converged on the scene within minutes of the initial 911 calls. Firefighters secured the area, diverted traffic, and provided additional lighting so medics could reach the injured quickly. Police investigators documented the evidence—taking photographs, measuring skid marks, and speaking with witnesses—to establish a clearer picture of what led to the impact. The Shelton Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit has primary responsibility for the case and will review vehicle data recorders, roadway conditions, and any surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses.
Although the department’s news release stopped short of assigning fault, it emphasized that the inquiry remains active. Standard procedure in such investigations includes toxicology testing and detailed mechanical inspections of both cars to determine whether impairment, speed, mechanical failure, or some combination of factors played a role. Results from those tests can take several weeks, but police indicated they would share additional findings once the analysis is complete.
For the moment, the focus is on supporting those affected by the loss. Word of Lassy’s death quickly reached Plymouth, where friends and relatives are mourning a life cut short. Although the family requested privacy during the early stages of grieving, acquaintances described her as someone who cherished time with loved ones and enjoyed exploring new places across the state. One co‑worker recalled that she was “the first to offer a helping hand and the last to leave when things got tough,” qualities that make her sudden absence all the more painful.
In Shelton, motorists encountered traffic detours for several hours overnight as investigators processed the scene. River Road reopened in the early morning hours Monday, but residents along the riverfront said the flashing emergency lights and the echo of sirens served as a sobering reminder of how suddenly tragedy can strike. “You hear the helicopters sometimes,” said one Montgomery Street homeowner, “but when you see that many cruisers this late, you know something serious has happened.”
Local officials often highlight Route 110 in discussions about road‑safety improvements. While recent years have brought new signage and guardrails to some segments, advocates continue to call for additional streetlights and rumble strips, arguing that incremental upgrades can reduce nighttime crashes. Sunday’s collision is certain to renew those conversations. Shelton’s public works department confirmed that a review of lighting along the corridor was already on the agenda for its next meeting, though major changes would require coordination with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Beyond infrastructure, the police department routinely urges drivers to reduce speed, wear seat belts, and avoid distractions, particularly on curved stretches near the river where hazards may not be visible until the last moment. The circumstances surrounding Sunday’s crash underscore that message: even modest lapses in attention, they say, can have irreversible consequences when two vehicles approach one another at highway speeds.
Detective Nugent emphasized that, while no criminal charges have been filed at this stage, investigators will consult with the state’s attorney once the reconstruction is finished. Should evidence point to reckless behavior, impaired driving, or other statutory violations, appropriate legal steps would follow. Conversely, if the collision is ultimately attributed to unavoidable factors—such as a sudden medical emergency or an unexpected mechanical failure—officials will close the case with those findings.
For many community members, however, legal outcomes take a back seat to the emotional toll. Messages of condolence appeared on social media within hours of the department’s news release, with friends posting photos of Lassy at family gatherings, volunteer events, and weekend hikes across Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. Several Plymouth residents have already organized an online fundraiser to assist her family with funeral expenses, reflecting the close‑knit nature of the small central Connecticut town she called home.
Bridgeport Hospital confirmed that the two individuals from the second vehicle were treated and later released, a turn of events that offered a measure of relief amid the broader tragedy. Hospital officials also extended condolences to Lassy’s relatives and praised the swift coordination between EMS personnel and the hospital’s trauma team Monday night.
In the coming days, Shelton officers will revisit the crash site during daylight hours, a standard step that helps investigators capture any details obscured by darkness at the time of the incident. The department also encourages anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have video footage—such as dash‑cam recordings—to contact the Shelton Police Traffic Division. Public assistance, they say, can be crucial in confirming timelines and clarifying uncertain details.
Meanwhile, friends and co‑workers in Plymouth plan to gather later this week for an informal candlelight vigil celebrating Lassy’s life. While those who knew her struggle to make sense of the sudden loss, they share a common sentiment: hers was a warm and generous spirit, and the roads she traveled will feel emptier without her.
As the investigation continues, Shelton police urge all drivers to remember that even familiar roads demand full attention—particularly after dark—and that safety measures taken today may save a life tomorrow.
