Farmington Motorcyclist Killed In Crash

Farmington police said a three-vehicle crash on Meadow Road in Farmington on Monday, May 18, killed a 39-year-old Bristol motorcyclist and led to a drunken-driving charge against a pickup truck driver. Police identified the motorcyclist as Ciera Schultz. Officers said the crash happened around 4 p.m. near the intersection of Meadow Road and Plainville Avenue, also known as Route 177. A school bus and a pickup truck were also involved, and a 7-year-old child on the bus was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. ### Who was killed in the crash? Farmington police identified the motorcyclist as Ciera Schultz, 39, of Bristol. Schultz was found with serious injuries after the collision and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died, according to police. WTNH reported Friday that police had released Schultz’s identity after the initial reports on May 18 did not name her. (nbcconnecticut.com) NBC Connecticut also reported that first responders gave the motorcyclist immediate medical attention at the scene before she was transported to the hospital. ### How did police say the collision happened? (nbcconnecticut.com) Police said the school bus, the motorcycle and the pickup truck were all traveling west on Meadow Road as they approached Plainville Avenue. Investigators said the pickup truck struck the bus and the motorcycle from behind. FOX61 identified the pickup as a Chevrolet Silverado. (nbcconnecticut.com) The outlet reported that investigators said the Silverado hit the school bus and motorcycle from behind as the vehicles neared the intersection. ### Who was charged, and what have police said so far? (nbcconnecticut.com) Police identified the pickup truck driver as Gary Berube. WTNH reported that Berube is 63 years old, and police charged him with driving under the influence after the crash. FOX61 reported that Berube’s bond was set at $500,000. NBC Connecticut said he was taken into custody by Farmington police and initially charged with driving under the influence. (fox61.com) Court records and any additional charges were not detailed in the reports reviewed. ### Who else was hurt on the school bus? (wtnh.com) Police said the school bus had two people on board at the time of the crash: the driver and a 7-year-old passenger. The bus driver was not injured, according to police. The child was taken to a hospital for evaluation or treatment of minor injuries, the reports said. (nbcconnecticut.com) NBC Connecticut and FOX61 both reported that no other bus passengers were on board. The reports did not identify the bus driver or the child. ### What is investigators’ next step? FOX61 reported that the North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Squad is assisting Farmington police with the investigation. (nbcconnecticut.com) Police said the crash remains under investigation. Farmington police asked anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about what happened near Meadow Road and Plainville Avenue around 4 p.m. on May 18 to contact the department at 860-675-2400. (nbcconnecticut.com) As of the latest reports reviewed on May 22, police had not announced additional findings. (fox61.com)