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Hawthorne, of 26 Grant Drive, North Branford, was injured in an accident at the intersection of Route 1 and Cedar Street at approximately 2:30 a.m. on May 10 while she was a passenger in a motor vehicle being operated by Pat Foster. Foster's vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by Thomas Bishop. Bishop was driving at a high rate of speed while, or shortly after, being pursued by Finkle in a Branford police cruiser.
Foster died several weeks later of injuries from the crash. Hawthorne suffered nerve injuries, including a fractured skull, a subdural hematoma, a brain injury and fractures of the face and jaw.
Attorney Bruce D. Jacobs of Jacobs & Jacobs wrote that Hawthorne's injuries were caused "as a result of Finkle engaging in a high speed pursuit when he knew or should have known that the pursuit was likely to present a danger to life or property and that he violated the Branford Pursuit Policy."
According to the State of Connecticut Uniform Statewide Pursuit Policy, which Branford follows, the decision to initiate a pursuit shall be based on the pursuing police officer's conclusion that the immediate danger to the police officer and the public created by the pursuit is less than the immediate or potential danger to the public should the occupants of such vehicle remain at large.
"I have complete faith and confidence in Sgt. Finkle's handling of the incident," said Gill. "I have no reason to believe he did anything that was outside of the rules."
Jacobs was unavailable for comment.
