Stamford Police announced on Wednesday that their Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad “CARS” completed their investigation into a fatal motor vehicle vs. pedestrian collision that occurred on Monday March 4, 2024 at approximately 6:30 pm.
Sgt. Jeffrey Booth from CARS said in a release that, on that evening, Stamford Police patrol officers were dispatched to the intersection of Prospect St at Forest St on the report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. Upon arriving, officers found an unresponsive 79 year-old female lying on the southern curb line of Forest St.
The pedestrian, Mary Botan of Stamford, had suffered a serious head injury. She was transported to Stamford Hospital by Stamford EMS and was initially listed in critical, but, stable condition.
The vehicle operator remained at the scene and spoke with responding officers and investigators.
The on-scene investigation revealed that Ms. Botan was in the crosswalk when she was struck by a 2014 Toyota Prius that was driven by Tyler Zinko, a 25 year-old Stamford resident. Mr. Zinko was issued a misdemeanor summons at the scene for striking a vulnerable user and causing serious physical injury. He was released from the scene on a written promise to appear in court.
On March 30, 2024, Stamford Police CARS was notified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that Ms. Botan had died from the injuries that she suffered in the collision.
The Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office was notified of Ms. Botan’s death and when he appeared in court on April 17, 2024, the charges against him were upgraded to Negligent Homicide with a Motor Vehicle.
His next court appearance is scheduled for June 21, 2024.