An off-duty New Haven firefighter has died after he was struck on Interstate 91 North in New Haven after a crash Wednesday night.
State police said Thomas Mieles, 27, of New Haven, died after the crash.
Mieles joined the New Haven Fire Department 10 months ago, fulfilling his dream of becoming a firefighter.
He went to Wilbur Cross High School and New Haven fire officials said he served in the neighborhood where he lived.
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Fire Chief John Alston said Mieles loved the fire department and working in the Lombard Fire Station with the other members of the house.
Mieles had been involved in a crash near exit 8 around 9:42 p.m. and pulled over, according to state police.
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Two other drivers stopped to help, but there was another crash and a vehicle hit Mieles, who was out of his vehicle, according to state police. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Five vehicles were involved in the crash. Three other drivers, including a woman that was also hit, were transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
“It is with great sadness of heart that the New Haven Fire Department announces the passing of Fire Fighter Thomas Mieles. Firefighter Mieles, a New Haven Resident, fulfilled his dream of becoming a New Haven Fire Fighter, this year by joining the department in January 12, 2022,” Alston said in a statement.
“Mieles’ current assignment was protecting the neighborhood he grew up in and lived in, at Engine 10, the Lombard Fire Station,” Alston said.
“Growing up in this neighborhood and being able to protect his own neighborhood, I understand how proud he was. Our hearts go out to his family, and his fiancée,” Alston said.
Alston said the crash was not far from own his home and he was one of the firefighters who responded to the scene, thinking the first responders had to manage a major traffic incident.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we realize that the person that was being rescued and resuscitated was one of our own,” Alston said. “It’s been a very difficult time for our department.”
“It’s just so tragic for the family. We are all a family here in the city of New Haven, but to see Firefighter Mieles’ family’s experience in the hospital last night was just devastating,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said during a news conference Thursday morning.
All department flags will be lowered to half-staff in honor of Mieles.
“We ask your kind thoughts and prayers, during this time of bereavement for his family, friends, and department members, as they grieve this tragic loss,” Alston said.
Mieles is being remembered as a charismatic and hard-working firefighter.
“It’s an awful day for New Haven fire fighters. Our hearts are full of sorrow. We lost another brother – a young, energetic, full-of-life fight fighter who was happy to be here, happy to do the job, and happy to be a part of the New Haven fire fighter family,” New Haven Fire Fighters Union President Patrick Cannon, Local 825, said in a statement. “To his immediate family and his fiancé, our hearts are with you. To all the members of the New Haven Fire Department, we are family that will pull together and support each other through this terrible loss.”
Support is being offered at all firehouses in New Haven.
Alston said the department has lost a member of each of the last three classes of firefighter recruits.
Ricardo Torres Jr. died in the line of duty on May 12, 2021, while responding to a fire on Valley Street in New Haven. He was a member of Recruit Class 62. He was 30 years old and had been with the fire department for just under two years.
Mieles was a member of Recruit Class 63.
Anyone who saw the crash or has information is asked to call Trooper Troczynski at Troop I at 203-393-4200.
If you have a vehicle with a dashcam and you were driving through the area at the time of the collision, you are also asked to call Trooper Troczynski.
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