New information is surfacing in the accident in Orange that involved a Milford Police cruiser and claimed the lives of two teenagers. Witnesses say the police officer that crashed into them was speeding and didn't have his sirens or lights on.
State Police said Milford officer Jason Anderson was returning from a call in West Haven when he collided with the teen’s car. The accident happened just after 3:00 a.m. on Route 1 in the area of Dogwood Road in Orange.
Witnesses claim the two 19-year-olds, Ashlie Karkowski and her boyfriend David Servin, were driving at a normal speed when they were hit after turning from Boston Post Road onto Dogwood Road.
State Police said the teens turned suddenly into the path of the officer and he couldn't stop in time.
"The police must’ve been going fast even if they weren’t supposed to turn how fast must’ve the police been going for their car to be wrecked," says Jamie Bortner, Ashlie’s high school friend.
Witnesses went onto say it took a screaming bystander for responding officers to notice that Ashlie had been thrown from the car to the bottom of a bank.
State Police said David Servin died at the scene; Ashlie died later at the hospital. Officer Anderson suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
State Police are still investigating the accident. They have not confirmed whether or not the officer’s lights and sirens were on before the crash.
