Connecticut
Family of teen killed in Shelton crash grieves loss and urges driver safety
It was a deadly weekend on the roads with several crashes across the state. That includes one that took the life a 14-year-old girl in Shelton.
“She was our beacon for everything. She was an amazing little girl,” Valentine Philoche said.
Memories are being held close for the family of 14-year-old Chloe Ramsubhag. They’re grieving after she was killed in a crash early Sunday morning on Route 8 in Shelton.
Her 10-year-old brother is finding it difficult to process.
“It’s just hard not to think about her all the time. Like last night, I couldn’t really go to bed,” Jeremiah Mayes said.
State troopers say the car Chloe was in was struck from behind by a Honda van. It pushed them into opposing traffic where the car was struck again.
Philoche, Chloe’s aunt, is still reeling from the shock of losing her niece.
“She was just a wonderful little human. She deserved everything,” she said.
That crash was one of several deadly accidents that happened that same day. Two people were killed on I-84 in Danbury in the morning.
A pedestrian was struck and killed on Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill later in the evening.
Just after that, one person died on I-84 in Farmington, causing the interstate to shut down in both direction for hours.
The state Department of Transportation said this was a bad weekend for crashes with some factors at play.
“It’s dark earlier, a lot of commuting happening, a lot of people out and about, when it’s pitch black out, even though it’s only 6 o’clock at night,” Josh Morgan, director of communications for the DOT, said.
The DOT said there were 321 road deaths last year on Connecticut roads. That’s down from 2022 where the state saw more than 360 deaths, but up from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, which saw 250 deaths.
“Historically speaking, we see that 30% of our fatalities in Connecticut can be attributed to speed. Another 30 to 40% can be attributed to impairment,” Morgan said.
Chloe’s family said the string of deadly crashes is unacceptable and they’re urging drivers to make responsible decisions on the road, so everyone is able to make it home safely.
“Be careful of what you’re doing, especially in small cars. Just be careful of what you’re doing,” Mayes said.
Philoche said the family has received thousands of dollars in donations from the community to help pay for funeral expenses. They’re planning to hold a vigil in Waterbury on Jan. 26.
Connecticut
Canadian aerospace company Bombardier launching new ‘fast track’ training program in Connecticut
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTNH) — Bombardier, a Canadian company, is launching a new “fast track” training program in Connecticut.
The new program will expand Connecticut’s aerospace industry by creating an accelerated pathway for experienced aircraft maintenance technicians to receive new certifications and enter high-demand careers quickly.
“We know the demand for aviation technicians far exceeds the number of students we can currently prepare throughout our traditional programing alone,” Dr. Alice Pritchard, executive director of Connecticut technical education and career system, said. “Our goal is to create a sustainable workforce solution that can continue producing skilled aviation technicians for years to come.”
The program is set to start soon at the company’s service center at Bradley International Airport.
Connecticut
Injuries reported in multi-vehicle crash on I-91 South in Hartford
Injuries were reported in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 South in Hartford on Wednesday morning.
State police said the four-vehicle crash happened around 5:55 a.m.
The highway was briefly closed between exits 30 and 29A. It has since reopened.
According to state police, injuries were reported, but the extent is unknown.
The crash remains under investigation.
Connecticut
Avon daycare releases dates, times that former employee accused of sex assault worked at other Connecticut locations
AVON, Conn. (WTNH) — In light of recent information that a now-former Avon daycare employee accused of sexually assaulting children had filled in at multiple Connecticut locations, the company has released a timeline of when and where he had worked.
Jan Carlos Berrios Otero’s employment with BrightPath Early Learning began in January 2022, according to a letter sent out to families. Within the last four years, he had filled in at daycare locations in Simsbury, Windsor and West Hartford.
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero had covered partial shifts at the following locations on the following days:
- Simsbury, Jan. 20, 2026: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about four hours and 20 minutes
- Windsor, Sept. 16, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about six hours at the 555 Day Hill Road location.
- West Hartford, Sept. 24, 2025: Berrios Otero covered a shift for about three hours at the Park Road location
BrightPath stated that to its knowledge, there are no known allegations, complaints or incidents that occurred during these time frames.
Berrios Otero, 29, is facing six counts of risk of injury to a minor, six counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor for allegedly sexually assaulting five boys ages 3 to 5 during the month of March.
BrightPath is working to identify all students who were in attendance in Berrios Otero’s classroom during the partial shifts that he had covered, and will communicate with the families directly as soon as possible, the letter stated.
“Please know, we also understand our review is taking a considerable amount of time; however, the time we take to ensure we are supplying the most accurate information is critical,” the letter said. “We are working diligently to get information to law enforcement and the appropriate governing agencies to support their investigations, and of course to all our families.”
According to BrightPath, Berrios Otero underwent a state and federal background check, which includes state and national criminal records searches and a review of the sex offender registry.
During the background check, which is renewed every five years, Berrios Otero had no prior convictions and was thoroughly vetted through the company’s hiring requirements. He additionally complied with staff qualifications and training.
The daycare says it is conducting a review of all of its records for the past four years across all of its Connecticut centers.
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