Friends and family on Tuesday will honor a Norwich firefighter who was killed in a four-car crash.
Benjamin DeMond, a 33-year-old six-year veteran of the Norwich Fire Department, was pronounced dead after being hit on Interstate 395 in Montville on Friday night.
Police said Willis Goodale, 50, was under the influence when he pulled out of a gas station into southbound traffic.
DeMond, a former minor league baseball player, had his two children in the car, at the time of the crash.
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.
When police responded, DeMond was trapped behind the wheel and Goodale was trying to comfort him, police said, but it was too late.
Goodale was charged with assault with a motor vehicle, as well as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Authorities said he failed several field sobriety tests.
DeMond’s death is being felt extremely hard within the Norwich Fire Department.
“He would give you the shirt off his back -- one of the most friendly people I've ever met, Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato said. “My heart really goes out to the family.”
A public memorial service will be held at the Norwich Free Academy at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Anyone attending the service is asked to arrive around 2:45 p.m.
Goodale is being held on $750,000 and was placed on suicide watch. He is next due in court on April 18.
DeMond's children were taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Local
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established to benefit Ben's children who are recovering from the crash.
Donations can be sent to:
DeMond Children's Fund
c/o Local 892
10 North Thames Street
Norwich, CT 06360
