John J. Festa Obituary, Death: Northford man dies in head-on crash in Durham, state police say.
John J. Festa Obituary, Death – A head-on collision on Route 17 in Durham on Monday afternoon resulted in the death of an 86-year-old Northford man, according to Connecticut State Police. The crash, which involved three vehicles, also left two others hospitalized, with one sustaining serious injuries.
The accident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Route 17 near Corn Cob Road. Police reports indicate that a 2014 Ram 1500 truck, traveling south on Route 17, collided head-on with a 2021 Lexus GX 460, which was headed in the opposite direction. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles.
A third vehicle, a 2022 GMC Sierra, was traveling south behind the Ram truck. The driver of the Sierra attempted to stop but lost control due to slippery, snowy conditions and slid into the passenger side of the Lexus, further complicating the situation.
The driver of the Ram, identified as John J. Festa, 86, of Northford, was taken to Middlesex Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The passenger in the Ram was also hospitalized with serious injuries, though the extent of their condition has not been disclosed.
The driver of the Lexus was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities. Thankfully, no other significant injuries were reported.
Following the crash, Route 17 was closed in both directions at Stagecoach Road for several hours as investigators worked to clear the scene and gather evidence. The road was reopened around 8 p.m. after the wreckage was cleared.
The crash highlights the dangerous conditions on the road caused by snow and icy patches, which contributed to the third vehicle’s loss of control. State police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
