EAST HAVEN — A local man has surrendered to police in connection with a February hit-and-run collision with a fire engine responding to an emergency call.
Joshua Bethke, 38, of Wheaton Road, turned himself in after learning of an arrest warrant approved March 25.
The incident occurred Feb. 11 at approximately 6:38 p.m., when East Haven Fire Department’s Engine 4 was struck while traveling to a structure fire in the Foxon area.
According to police, the fire truck was traveling northbound on Hemingway Avenue with emergency lights and sirens activated when a Scion TC failed to yield and turned directly in front of it.
The collision caused significant front-end damage to Engine 4, though no injuries were reported.
The driver fled the scene, continuing northbound on Hemingway Avenue before turning westbound onto Edward Street.
Following public tips after images of the damaged fire engine were shared on social media, officers located Bethke’s 2015 Scion TC, which had damage consistent with the collision.
A side mirror cover found at the crash scene matched Bethke’s vehicle, which was missing the mirror cover when officers made contact with him.
Bethke initially denied involvement, but Sergeant Ryan Gorman submitted an arrest warrant affidavit that was approved this week.
Bethke was charged with Evading Responsibility Resulting in Property Damage in violation of C.G.S. 14/107/14-224(b)(3).
He was released on a Written Promise to Appear and is scheduled for court on April 3.
