Drunk Driver Kills Motorcyclist, Hurts Child

Farmington police said a motorcyclist was killed and a 7-year-old child on a school bus was injured after a three-vehicle crash in Farmington, Connecticut, on Monday, May 18. Police said a Chevrolet Silverado, a motorcycle and a school bus were involved in the collision at about 4 p.m. near Meadow Road and Plainville Avenue, also known as Route 177. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and later died, according to police. The driver of the pickup truck, identified by police as Gary Berube, was arrested on a driving-under-the-influence charge. ### Where did the crash happen, and what vehicles were involved? Meadow Road near the intersection with Plainville Avenue was the site of the crash, according to Farmington police. Police said the collision involved a school bus, a motorcycle and a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. (nbcconnecticut.com) FOX61 and WTNH, citing police, reported that the crash happened as the vehicles approached the intersection while traveling west on Meadow Road. NBC Connecticut reported first responders found all three vehicles at the scene when they arrived. ### How did police say the collision unfolded? (nbcconnecticut.com) Police said a preliminary investigation found that the school bus, motorcycle and pickup truck were all traveling westbound on Meadow Road. As they neared Plainville Avenue, the pickup truck struck the school bus and motorcycle from behind, according to police accounts cited by NBC Connecticut, FOX61 and WTNH. (nbcconnecticut.com) The Chevrolet driver was identified as Gary Berube. WTNH reported that Berube is 63 years old, and FOX61 reported that police charged him with driving under the influence and set bond at $500,000. ### Who was hurt in the crash? The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and later died at a hospital, police said. (nbcconnecticut.com) Farmington officials had not publicly identified the rider in the reports published Monday night and Tuesday morning. The school bus had two people on board: the driver and one child, according to police. (fox61.com) Police said the driver was not injured, and the child, identified in reports as a 7-year-old passenger, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries or for evaluation. ### What charge was filed against the pickup driver? (nbcconnecticut.com) Gary Berube was taken into custody by Farmington police and initially charged with driving under the influence, NBC Connecticut reported, citing police. FOX61 reported that police arrested Berube after the crash and set his bond at $500,000. (nbcconnecticut.com) WTNH reported that Berube was the driver of the pickup truck that police said hit the other two vehicles from behind. The available reports did not list additional charges as of Tuesday. ### Which agency is handling the investigation now? The North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Squad is assisting in the investigation, FOX61 reported, citing police. (nbcconnecticut.com) Farmington police said the crash remains under investigation. Farmington police asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about it to contact the department at 860-675-2400. (wtnh.com) The town’s police department maintains a public arrest-log page and lists its records unit for report requests on the municipal website. ### What happens next in the case? (fox61.com) The DUI charge against Gary Berube is the first publicly reported criminal count tied to the crash. Any further court proceedings, additional charges, or the public identification of the motorcyclist would be expected to come through Farmington police, court records or the medical examiner’s process. (nbcconnecticut.com) Witnesses can contact Farmington police at 860-675-2400 as investigators continue reviewing the Monday, May 18 collision on Meadow Road near Plainville Avenue. (nbcconnecticut.com)