The man who officials said crashed into the emergency department of Middlesex Hospital in Middletown Thursday and set himself on fire remains in critical condition, the hospital emergency department remains closed 24 hours after the incident and the mayor said there will be an increased police presence in the city.
Steven Ellam, 27, of Middletown, crashed his car into the entrance of the emergency department just before 10 a.m. Thursday and set himself on fire as he documented the ordeal on Facebook Live, according to officials.
Earlier in the day, Ellam had quit his job at Illiano’s without giving an explanation.
He has no known connection to the hospital, but officials said he has an extensive criminal history that goes back to when he was 14 years old.
Ellam suffered serious burns and is hospitalized at Bridgeport Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Middletown Mayor Dan Drew said city officials believe what happened Thursday was an isolated incident.
“The people of Middletown can go about their lives without worrying that there’s any additional threat here,” Drew said.
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While investigating, police went to Ellam’s home Thursday but have not said what they found, if anything.
The building department is working with Middlesex Hospital to help get the emergency room up and running. It’s not clear when that will happen.
“In the meantime, any patient that has a medical emergency should call 911. And if they want to take themselves to a walk-in facility or another emergency room, they should go somewhere other than Middlesex (Hospital),” Drew said.
