Firefighter Killed In 4-Car Crash

Police said portions of I-395 remained closed until early Saturday.

When state police arrived at the scene of a four-car crash on Interstate 395 in Montville on Friday night, the man accused of causing the crash was in the backseat of a victim’s car, stroking his cheek, according to a police report.

Benjamin DeMond, 33, was pronounced dead after his car was hit by a driver in an SUV that was trying to use an emergency vehicle turn-around to enter the southbound side of the highway, police said.

Willis Goodale, a Willimantic native, has been charged in the crash. When the first trooper arrived at the scene, Goodale was in the back of DeMond's car, according to the police investigation report.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen," Goodale said, according to the police report. 

Police said DeMond tried to avoid the crash and lost control of his car, swerved into oncoming traffic and struck an SUV head-on before he was hit by another vehicle.

State Police said two children in DeMond's car were taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

DeMond had been a firefighter for six years, was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and played minor league baseball.

Goodale was charged with DWI and police added another charge of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle. 

Goodale, an unemployed mechanic, has one previous conviction, according to information from court.

In 1986, he was convicted of possession of narcotics.

His bond is set at $750,000 and he is next due in court on April 18. Additional charges are expected.

A memorial service for DeMond will be held on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Norwich Free Academy, in the gym, at 305 Broadway.

Contact Us