The emergency department at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown has reopened after authorities said a man rammed his car into the emergency entrance of the hospital on Crescent Street on Feb. 22.
The car then burst into flames before the suspect set himself on fire.
Hospital officials said the department reopened at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, but the lobby area remains closed.
About 90 percent of walls in the emergency room had to be replaced because of water and smoke damage. Crews worked round the clock to restore the area, replacing damaged walls, cleaning equipment, and assessing and replacing supplies.
The hospital had established a temporary emergency department space to treat patients while the repair work was underway. That area will now close.
Patients can access the reopened emergency department using a temporary entrance at the hospital’s tower on Crescent Street. Security and staff will be on hand to greet patients. Though the lobby is closed, a temporary waiting room is available.
The driver involved in the crash, Steven Ellam, died of his injuries at Bridgeport Hospital.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Middletown Police Department, the FBI and several other outside federal, state and local agencies are all involved in various parts of this investigation.
