A New Haven police officer is being called a hero for actions he took to avoid an accident with another car on Friday.
It happened just before 5:30 p.m. on James Street near Chapel Street.
According to police, Officer Mike Fumiatti was responding to a call when he swerved to avoid a car in front of him and crashed into a tree just before 5:30 p.m. on James Street.
Fumiatti was responding to call to help another officer when the accident happened. He had his lights and sirens on, according to Officer David Hartman, the spokesperson for New Haven police.
Hartman said most drivers pulled to the right to allow Fumiatti's police cruiser to pass, but a Volvo pulled over to the left, forcing Fumiatti to veer into the tree. His actions may have saved the life of the woman driving the other car, Hartman said.
Fumiatti was conscious and alert at the scene, but was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for non-life threatening injuries, Hartman said.
The woman was cited for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Local
Officer Mike Fumiatti is the nephew of the late Officer Robert Fumiatti, a New Haven police officer who was shot in the line of duty in 2002. He died from complications of the gunshot injuries five years later.
Hartman said the department is grateful the younger Fumiatti made it out with minor injuries.
"We're just so thankful right now that the Fumiatti family is not going to have to deal with yet another tragedy," Hartman said.
Officer Mike Fumiatti was sworn in as an officer in October of 2012. He's a third-generation officer and today, he honored his family legacy.
"The Fumiatti name is hero's name, and now it's a hero's name a second time," Hartman said.
The driver of the Volvo has been charged with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Fumiatti remains in the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
