Connecticut police have arrested an 83-year-old woman accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal pedestrian crash late last year, officials announced Wednesday.
Sue Deffenbaugh, of West Hartford, was arrested Tuesday and charged with evading responsibility resulting in death and failure to exercise reasonable care near a vulnerable user on a road, according to Capt. Aaron Vafiades with the West Hartford Police Department.
Deffenbaugh is one of two drivers involved in the crash that ultimately took the life of 87-year-old Patricia Burlotte.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2024, near the intersection of Oakwood Ave. and St. James St.
Burlotte was struck by a northbound vehicle while crossing Oakwood Avenue “in the area of an uncontrolled crosswalk,” Valfiades said.
After the initial impact, she was struck by a second vehicle traveling south on the avenue.
The driver of the first vehicle remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation, Valfiades said. The driver of the second vehicle, later identified as Deffenbaugh, fled the scene.
The victim was taken to an area hospital, where she later died.
Deffenbaugh was arrested Tuesday following a “lengthy investigation” by the department’s traffic division, officials said.
Her warrant included a $400,000 court-set bond and a stipulation that she not operate a motor vehicle, Valfiades said.
She‘a scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on April 24.
According to an online obituary, Burlotte was a Canadian-born real estate agent who worked in the Greater Hartford area for many years. She was currently associated with Berkshire Hathaway in West Hartford.
