Person Killed in Wilbur Cross Parkway Crash in Hamden

A Branford man was killed in a fiery crash off the Wilbur Cross Parkway/Route 15 in Hamden on Tuesday night.

Richard Kaczynski, 36, of Branford, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Police said Kaczynski lost control in the left lane on the northbound side of the highway just after 7 p.m. and hit the side of a car driven by Matthew Sete, 32, of North Haven.

Kaczynski's car veered into the woods on the right side of the highway between exits 59 and 60 and was flipped over and on fire when emergency responders arrive at the scene.

Crews searched the woods for passengers who they feared might have been thrown from the car, but found that no one else was ejected, according to police.

Sette was not injured. 

The northbound side of the highway was shut down for several hours. Opposing traffic was also backed up across from the scene.

State Police continue to investigate the crash and ask witnesses to call Trooper Mark Hesseltine at 203-393-4200.

Note: State police originally misidentified the driver who was killed.

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