Police ID Man Hit and Killed in Windsor Locks While Helping Woman He Hit

A 64-year-old Windsor Locks man who was trying to help a woman he’d struck with his car was killed after another vehicle traveling down the road hit him, according to police.

The woman, 30-year-old Jessica Gelabert, of Hartford, had just finished her shift at Friendly’s and was leaving work when she was hit by a car as she was crossing Route 75 in Windsor Locks around 10 p.m., police said.

The man who hit her, 64-year-old Michael Mangeri, of Windsor Locks, got out of his car to help her when another car struck him, according to police.

Mangeri and Gelabert were taken to Hartford Hospital, where Mangeri died, according to police. They said Gelabert is in serious but stable condition.

"We were deeply saddened to hear of the devastation caused by last night's traffic accident. We are sending good thoughts and support to our Friendly's team member and hoping for her full recovery. We also send our condolences to the family of the gentleman who was killed in this same incident," Friendy’s said in a statement.

Police said they haven’t determined why the collisions happened, but the area is a tricky spot for drivers.

“That roadway is certainly dark. It was rainy last night, there’s a curve in the roadway. It was rainy last night, and we have a lot of motor vehicle accidents there, for sure,” Detective Sgt. Andrew Dzierzgowski said.

The road was closed for several hours for accident reconstruction but has reopened.

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