When two New Haven police officers crashed their cruisers into each other on September 9, 2008, both were at fault, according to a state police report. Portions of the report were released Friday, the day after Sgt. Dario Scott Aponte's name was added to the Connecticut Police Memorial.
Ofc. Diane Gonzalez, the other officer responding to what appeared to be a serious domestic violence incident at the time, went through extensive rehabilitation for injuries sustained in the crash.
After reviewing video of the actual collision, investigators still could not determine which vehicle had the right of way as they approached the corner -- one traveling on East Street, the other on Chapel Street.
The report says that the status of the traffic light was a significant factor, but not the cause.
Instead, it says the two officers were at fault for not slowing down when approaching the intersection.
"Neither Sgt. Aponte nor Ofc. Gonzalez slowed down or stopped to the extent necessary for the safe operation of their respective emergency vehicles prior to proceeding past any red light or through any intersection," reads the report.
